These Vegan Edibles are Must-Haves for Your Pantry
What happens when two best friends start a company that produces small-batch edibles? Magic. Enter Potli, a California-based company specializing in top quality and delicious vegan edibles. From their hemp-infused honey to their uber-delicious chili oil, Potli nails their mission of helping you integrate a range of cannabinoids into your daily wellness routine.
We caught up with Felicity Chen, Co-Founder and CEO of Potli, to talk about how she’s coping during this pandemic, what she’s cooking, and how to make Potli’s famous Spicy Silken CBD Cold Tofu.
WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU NOW?
During quarantine, I’ve been cooking up a storm. When I wake up, I start my day with chia seed pudding + mangos and ginger lemon tea; both made with Potli Honey. The mornings are also where I feed my sourdough starter and test new recipes. The days are filled with zoom calls, stand-ups, and check ins. By 5pm, I’ll probably head over to Golden Gate Park for a run or a long walk. For dinner, I cook what I crave, which typically comes down to some variation of a noodle soup dish (udon, ramen, dry noodles). I’m also a huge fan of tofu and mushrooms, so those ingredients are incorporated into almost every meal. Post dinner, there might be a few last emails I’m cleaning up, but I’m doing that while catching up on a show. I just finished “My Brilliant Friend” on HBO. I’m likely going to be watching “Billions” next and “Big Little Lies” when that comes out.
YOUR LINE OF HEMP-INFUSED CONDIMENTS INCLUDES HONEY, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, OLIVE OIL, AND HOT SAUCE. WHICH ARE YOU USING THE MOST RIGHT NOW DURING QUARANTINE?
Definitely Potli Honey followed by Potli Olive oil. They’re the first two products we created, and they’re such pantry essentials.
IF YOU’RE HOSTING AT YOUR PLACE (GOOD OLD DAYS), WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?
If I’m hosting, I’d crack open a bottle of cider or Kombucha, smokes all around in every format imaginable (dabs, joints, volcano, vapes, edibles) paired with a great playlist. I’d probably make a cheese and charcuterie board with Potli Honey, of course, (probably Going Up). Burrata with Potli Olive (maybe a sprinkle of pine nuts) is always a good idea. My choice brand of crackers are the Raincoat Crisps. I was never really making anything, just assembling!
WHAT’S THE INSPIRATION BEHIND POTLI’S VIBE?
We made Potli with our mothers in mind, so the packaging had to reflect something they would enjoy and be proud of having in their pantry. When we initially formed the concept in 2017, what was available in the California Cannabis market had a counterculture vibe: neon, gold, lots of black, green, yellow, and red. We wanted to create products that looked like they belonged in a luxury department store, not your typical headshop. We used a lot of white space and invested in gold foil as the only accent color. We knew we had to spend money on the packaging to get people excited about it. Fast forward to today, many other brands have adopted a similar look. We continue to stay true to the minimalist nature of our beginnings. It’s also an artistic nod to the minimal amount of processing we use in the actual production of our products.
WHO IS THE POTLI CUSTOMER IN 3 WORDS?
Empowered, health conscious, and a maker.
FIVE PEOPLE AROUND YOUR DINNER TABLE, WHO WOULD THEY BE?
The Obamas, Eva Chen, Jhene Aiko, and Philip Lim.
STAPLES IN YOUR PANTRY?
Aside from Potli hemp-derived essentials, I have to have tea. I have a massive loose leaf tea collection and a growing tea cup collection.
BOTH YOU AND YOUR CO-FOUNDER GREW UP IN TRADITIONAL ASIAN HOMES, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAMILY’S FAVORITE RECIPES TO MAKE? DO YOU INCLUDE ANY OF YOUR POTLI CBD-INFUSED PRODUCTS?
Spicy Silken CBD Cold Tofu – Potli Chili
Spicy Silken CBD Cold Tofu INGREDIENTS
2 tsp Potli chili oil, or to taste
1 (12-ounce) block silken tofu
4 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
Chopped scallions and cilantro to garnish
Optional ingredients: ground meat, roasted veggies
Spicy Silken CBD Cold Tofu DIRECTIONS
Bring a pot of water to boil and gently add tofu. Simmer until the tofu is warmed through, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and drizzle with Potli chili oil, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Sprinkle with scallions and cilantro, or get creative with other toppings!
CURRENT FAVORITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS?
WHERE DO YOU SOURCE YOUR INGREDIENTS? WHERE DO YOU SOURCE YOUR FULL SPECTRUM CBD?
All of our ingredients are sourced from California, mostly Northern California where Chris and I were born and raised. It was important for us to source our base ingredients from where we grew up. We are so lucky to be in the golden state where we have access to the incredible local produce. Our full spectrum CBD oil and distillate are sourced from a female partner in Kentucky. We chose there early on, as Kentucky was one of the first pilot programs to legally grow and sell hemp.
FIRST THING YOU’RE DOING WHEN QUARANTINE IS OVER?
Eating at one of my many favorite restaurants in San Francisco.
FILL IN THE BLANK—I’M SUPPORTING _________ BECAUSE _______
I’m supporting the Food Runners Program in San Francisco because they’re benefitting our local food programs and reducing waste.
Stay in touch with @getpotli on instagram!
