You might recognize this business from the farmers market scene — Chattanooga Culture will soon open its storefront in nearby Rossville, GA, bringing a kombucha lounge to the area.
Located at 313 McFarland Ave. (where the former Flora de Mel meadery operated), folks can expect to try holistic kombuchas and other fermented goods.
Fermentation Master and Owner Matt Cone said he was looking for his niche in the wellness community when he discovered the process of making kombucha. Having moved to the city only three and a half years ago, Cone started Chattanooga Culture with the help of the Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga last February.
“To have a place where people can actually hang out and have an experience and learn more about the process, because the brewing will be right there,” Cone said. “It’s more about creating a like-minded community.”
Cone said he has also enjoyed seeing the shift to more non-alcoholic options and wants to keep Chattanooga Culture alcohol-free to align with its ethos of health + wellness — opting to offer herbal mocktails.
We got to take a journey through Cone’s process and passion for experimentation, and we’re dying to spill the tea.
You start with brewing a loose-leaf tea base (black, white, green, or one of Cone’s favorites — Yerba mate) that is sweetened with sugar to help the fermentation process. Then you dilute the base to add the scoby (yeast) — Cone said he blends a new batch with remnants of an older batch to ferment together, creating a whole batch of kombucha.
To flavor the drinks, Cone likes experimenting with juicing local produce or purchasing locally-made juices to blend in. Think: Strawberries, carrots, beets, apples, etc.
The lounge will offer its kombuchas and other fermented drinks on tap + a grab-and-go cooler. Pro tip: Purchase a growler (for $20-$35, depending on size) to get $5 off on refills.
The store will open to the public on Friday, June 14 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. You’ll also still be able to find Chattanooga Culture’s products across town at these stores + markets.
