Master Jack

Zhong Xin-Yi, known to many international buyers as Master Jack, is a Taiwanese tea master and producer with whom we share many years of both professional and personal relationships.

We met Master Jack many years ago. Over that time the cooperation gradually grew into a genuine friendship. Today we are close not only to the Master himself but to his family as well, so our meetings in Taiwan have long gone beyond discussing tea and production.

Master Jack’s main tea gardens lie in the high-mountain area of Shan Lin Xi, at roughly 1,200–1,600 metres.

The mountain climate, the elevation, the cool temperatures and the frequent mists create favourable conditions for producing Taiwanese high-mountain oolong.

One characteristic feature of his work is traditional charcoal roasting. For certain teas he uses charcoal from fruit-tree wood, including lychee and longan.

It is this work with roasting that shapes the character of his traditional oolongs.

We value him for his long experience, his deep understanding of Taiwanese tea and his own approach to processing. He is also open to experiments and new ideas, which lets us find interesting products beyond the classic range.

But what matters most to us are the relationships built over the years of knowing him.

We meet regularly in Taiwan, visit the production and stay in touch with his family.

We do not simply offer everything the master makes — we select specific teas and specific lots ourselves, for our range and for our international B2B customers.