Ancient Leaf Tea — Attraction in Hawaii

An unforgettable experience!

We highly recommend the tea farm tour and tasting—it’s an eye-opening journey that deepens your appreciation for what’s in your cup. From delicately hand-picking pekoe leaves to understanding the nuanced steps of tea processing, every part of the experience is thoughtfully designed to educate and inspire.

What truly makes this tour exceptional is Susan. Her passion for tea, bio-diverse farming, and self-sufficiency radiates throughout the visit. She’s not only deeply knowledgeable but also incredibly warm and humble—even though she’s been trained by Japanese tea masters! Her insights—like the difference between an infusion and true tea—were fascinating, and her hands-on teaching style made everything come alive.

The tea tasting itself was phenomenal. Susan introduced us to an aeration technique that truly brought out the complexity of each tea. We tasted white, green, oolong, and black teas—each one crafted from the same plant but transformed through precise methods we got to learn about firsthand.

One of the most memorable moments? We arrived early and Susan graciously invited us to help hand-pollinate Lilikoi (passionfruit) flowers—a rare and beautiful experience that perfectly reflects the welcoming, immersive nature of the tour.

This is a must-do for tea lovers, sustainability enthusiasts, and anyone curious about where their food and drink come from. The love, intention, and expertise poured into this place are palpable. We left feeling both educated and inspired.

There is also an Ancient Leaf Tea farm-stand where you can pick up tea leaves, drinks, fruit, and baked goods. A great stop near the...

As a person who lived on the island briefly 30 years ago who has come back for a trip around memory lane….i had an awesome experience yesterday and wanted to share. Ancient Leaf Tea has a gorgeous little Farmstand/shop/tea tasting down on the old highway 4 mile scenic road about 15 minutes north of Hilo (Onomea Bay way near the Botanical Gardens which are also incredible and worthy of a few hours themselves!!!). But a few blocks away on the farmstand’s main property, they also do farm tours and tours and tastings which I highly highly highly recommend!!! Susan is so knowledgeable and passionate and is a bit of a pioneer in Hawaii for regenerative farming. She also knows so much about Hawaii and the area and the local beliefs around food and farming and plants and her passion is infectious! The other people on my tour were soooo happy they had signed up! It was such a worthwhile experience and a great way to spend an hour or two!!! The baked goods at the farmstand are also insanely tasty and you can get some delicious freshly made chilled drinks (the matcha lemonade and lemongrass ones were my faves!) or packaged tea to bring back with you. Gets full thumbs up and shakas from me ! What a gem...

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The Ancient Leaf Tea Tour was an unforgettable experience that my partner and I thoroughly enjoyed. Susan, our guide, was exceptional—her expertise and passion for tea shone through every aspect of the tour. From the moment we arrived, the attention to detail and quality was apparent, creating a truly immersive and relaxing experience.

One of the highlights was learning about the farm itself, which is a model of regenerative agricultural practices. Susan explained how their approach nurtures the soil, supports biodiversity, and sustains the land for future generations. We also loved discovering the role of canoe plants in the history of the region and how they are integrated into the farm’s ecosystem, connecting the tea cultivation to the island’s rich heritage.

The tasting session was equally impressive. Each tea was thoughtfully curated, with flavors and stories that reflected the care and craftsmanship behind their creation. For anyone seeking a sophisticated and meaningful experience that blends culture, sustainability, and indulgence, this tour is a must. We left inspired and with a deeper appreciation for the art and science of tea. Highly...