Step right into 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, guided by your host, Rob Lee. In today’s conversation, I talk with Davon Pulliam. He is the owner of Tortuga Kombucha, a black-owned small batch tea-focused kombucha beverage company. Originally from New York, Davon moved to Baltimore in 2003 and has a background in culinary arts. He started making kombucha as a hobby and eventually turned it into a business. Davon is passionate about creating high-quality kombucha and aims to distinguish his brand by focusing on the tea flavors and using minimal ingredients.

ABOUT TORTUGA KOMBUCHA
Tortuga Kombucha, a Black Owned small batch tea-centric kombucha enterprise, produces exquisite pét nat-style kombucha beverages that delight the palate. Guided by the wisdom of the Tortuga, we embrace the art of patience, crafting our kombucha meticulously to capture the essence of each tea before and after fermentation. This journey of development has enabled us to delve into the multifaceted world of tea, engaging with people and shops to learn about its rich culture, traditions, flavors, and origins.

Within this chat, we shed light on:

• The inspiring journey of Davon, a visionary entrepreneur, delves into his mission to establish a prominent presence as the third most renowned kombucha brand in Baltimore, all while championing sustainability through innovative waste reduction practices.
• The artistry behind Davon's minimalistic approach to kombucha crafting, immersing ourselves in the intricate world of tea flavors and discovering how he masterfully intertwines different teas to create distinct and enticing kombucha varieties.
• Tune in to discover Davon's aspirations of elevating the status of kombucha to fine dining excellence, as we delve into his aspirations to have his exceptional creations grace the menus of high-end restaurants, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the future of kombucha's presence in gourmet settings.

You won't want to skip this one! Davon shares his journey from making kombucha as a hobby to starting his own business. He discusses how his culinary background has influenced his approach to kombucha-making and the importance of treating his product and customers with respect. Davon also talks about the process of making kombucha and what sets his product apart from others. He emphasizes the minimal approach and the use of different teas for each flavor. Davon's mission is to reduce waste and create a product that can be enjoyed in various settings, including fine dining establishments. He wants to be known for his tea-focused kombucha and hopes to be featured in high-end restaurants. Despite the health benefits of kombucha, Davon does not focus on marketing his product as a health drink, but rather as a beverage that people can enjoy. In his downtime, Davon enjoys playing video games, listening to podcasts, and spending time with his family.

Mentioned in this episode:
Tortuga Kombucha

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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