For one Charlotte native, juicing has become more than a business

For Caesar Toland, juicing was just a way to improve his own health but now, it’s become his resource to help others do the same. 

Toland is the owner of Solar Juicing Company, a mobile fresh-pressed juices shop based in Charlotte. While juicing provides him financial gain, Toland’s overall goal is to promote its health benefits, especially to those in the Black community.

“A lot of times, our body doesn’t process what it needs to because we’re just overcompensating,” the 30-year-old Charlotte native told QCity Metro. “In order to really have your body regulate the way it needs to, sometimes you need to give your body a break from digestion. And one of the key ways to do that is through juicing.”

For almost a decade, Toland has been researching which foods work well with the body and testing out proper combinations to make each smoothie customizable and delicious.

He currently sells six flavors. These flavors include:

–Watermelon Aid (Watermelon, Strawberry, Pineapple, Mint)
–Indigo Rising (Blue Majik, Pineapple, Orange, Cucumber, Coconut Water, Ginger)
–Emerald (Spinach, Orange, Apple, Lemon, Celery)
–The Light (Grapefruit, Orange, Apple, Cayenne)
–Tigers Eye (Carrot, Orange, Pineapple, Lime, Ginger, Turmeric)
–Heart Beet Purple (Beets, Pineapple, Blueberries, Hibiscus Flower, Ginger, Strawberry)

His interest in juicing started while studying for his master’s degree in nutrition at Liberty University in 2013. Inspired by the ideas of herb advocate Dick Gregory and herbalist Dr. Sebi, he added juicing in his daily diet.

Toland, a former track athlete, noticed a difference in how he performed in his workouts and how he felt throughout the day.

“I was still an avid runner and I felt like I could still compete,” he said. “The only thing that changed in my life was my diet. I was adding juice into my nutrition.”

He would often train a few of the athletes at Liberty in his free time. They noticed how he would always have a juice on hand wherever he went and he offered them a taste.

“They’ll be chugging drinks like Gatorade and Red Bulls and getting dehydrated excessively,” he said. “Some of the things that they would see [after juicing] was more energy and adequate hydration. They would also see that they could lift a lot longer and their stamina increased.”

The athletes asked Toland if he would make more for them to buy and he agreed, starting his new business.

After graduating from Liberty in 2018, he became an associate professor at the school but when the pandemic came, he decided to move back to Charlotte to help his family.

In search of a career that could provide an impact in the community, he pursued his juicing business full-time. 

Since then, he has participated in a number of festivals and events and delivers products to customers throughout the city. He has also begun selling sea moss jars.

Toland said business has been up-and-down in his first few months but he always enjoys educating those he meets whether they support his business or not.

He plans to participate in more events this summer to educate and get his name out there in the community.

“By the end of this year, we want to make sure we have something like a juice truck or a solidified brick and mortar to where people can have access to us all the time,” he said.

Each flavor can be purchased separately for $10. Toland also offers packages of six juices for $65.

Orders can be made via Instagram.