Lim Keng Soan departs his homeland, the tea capital of the world, carrying nothing but courage and craft.
Our Heritage
A Sampan,
A Leaf,
A Legacy.
Lim Keng Soan
The Beginning
From Anxi to the World
In 1925, Lim Keng Soan left Anxi, China — the tea capital — with little more than resilience and a dream. Anxi is the birthplace of Tie Guan Yin, one of the world's most celebrated oolongs, and it was here that his love of tea was first cultivated.
Sailing south by sampan, he crossed open seas with nothing but courage and conviction. He planted tea in Singapore, built a thriving business in Jakarta, and created a legacy that would span generations and continents.
His hands knew the weight of tea leaves. His eyes knew the colour of a perfect brew. His spirit knew that every journey — no matter how uncertain — begins with a single, courageous step.
The Kingdom
A Tea Kingdom
Built by Hand
The Tea Plantation, Jakarta · Circa 1930s
Workers spreading freshly harvested leaves across the courtyard to dry in the tropical sun. From this courtyard, tea found its way into homes across Southeast Asia.
The Journey
Three Generations
He plants roots in Singapore, establishing his first tea business along the trade routes of Southeast Asia.
The tea kingdom grows. A plantation is built. Workers dry leaves in the tropical sun. A legacy takes root.
His granddaughter Ning continues the journey. Sampan & Leaf is born — a tribute in every cup.
Why Tea
The Benefits Are Real.
The Heritage Is Ancient.
#1
World's Longest Life Expectancy
Hong Kong consistently ranks first globally for longevity. Tea is not a trend here — it is a centuries-old daily ritual, woven into every meal, every gathering, every moment of rest.
茶
Tea is to Chinese Culture What Coffee is to the West
Just as Americans reach for coffee every morning, the Chinese world reaches for tea. It is the same daily ritual — but with a fundamentally different relationship with the body. Tea nourishes. It does not punish.
烏龍
Oolong & Digestion — Documented for Centuries
Oolong's ability to aid digestion is not a wellness marketing claim — it is a fact embedded in Hong Kong culture. Every dim sum table carries a pot of oolong for a reason. Science has since confirmed what generations already knew.
Our Mission
Keep the Good.
Remove the Bad.
SAMPAN & LEAF was built on a simple truth: the daily ritual of tea and coffee should nourish you, not deplete you. Our products carry every benefit of the ancient tea tradition — the calm, the focus, the digestion support — while eliminating the caffeine overload that modern life has normalised.
Ancient wisdom
Centuries of tea culture, distilled into every sachet.
EU certified quality
Every product meets the world's strictest food safety standards.
No caffeine overload
The same ritual. The same comfort. Without the crash.
A Note from the Founder
"Sampan & Leaf is my grandfather's tribute — a brand that carries forward his spirit of craftsmanship, migration, and quiet strength. Every cup is a story steeped in heritage."
Ning