Back to the Basics: A Case For Drip Coffee
At Tala, we pride ourselves on our approach to the specialty coffee industry — an industry that can oftentimes feel pretentious or overwhelming to the “average” coffee drinker. Approachability is not only one of our core values, but it also sits clearly at the forefront of our menu. And that approachability begins with the basic idea that we aim to offer coffee for every kind of coffee drinker. Our café menu spans from drip coffee to espresso to seasonally flavored lattes, and that’s exactly how we like it.
Now, it’s no secret that despite dubbing myself a “cappuccino loyalist,” I love a “fun” coffee. Vanilla latte, pumpkin spice, peppermint mocha, you name it. And while I like to branch out and treat myself on occasion, like most consistent coffee drinkers, I tend to stick to my usual. My “old reliable,” if you will. That is, until something new catches my eye and makes its way into my rotation. I just didn’t realize that the newest addition would be so, well, simple.
The usual, until it wasn’t
Last week, I walked into my local grocery store around 9 am, un-caffeinated, eye bags in full swing, picking up a few essentials for the week ahead. Upon reaching checkout, I began chatting with one of the employees, whom I’ve grown close with throughout my past year living next door. All it took was one look at me for her to know just how under-caffeinated I was. Humbling? Yes. Has she seen me in worse shape? Also yes.
To my relief, she offered me a drip coffee on the house, which I gladly accepted, despite historically not classifying myself as much of a “drip coffee girl.” To my surprise, I not only enjoyed it, but I went back the next day for more.
And just like that, my cappuccino loyalty was put to the test.
Back to the basics
It’s easy to forget how satisfying the basics can be when you’re so used to your usual order, or when there’s always a new seasonal drink to try. Especially this time of year, when the weather starts to shift, the leaves change, and suddenly everyone (myself included) is looking for an excuse to order something with pumpkin in it. There’s nothing wrong with that — trust me, I’m not giving up my seasonal lattes anytime soon. But lately, I’ve been reminded that sometimes the best thing you can do is go back to what’s simple. I’m not saying stop ordering what you’re used to; I’m just saying don’t forget about the basics. They’re basics for a reason.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying your iced vanilla latte is bad, nor does it need changing, because at the end of the day, the right way to drink coffee is the way you like it. But I do think it’s important to try new things when it comes to coffee. And sometimes, trying something new means revisiting something old.
Consistent coffee without the compromise
There’s something to be said for enjoying coffee in its simplest form, without extra flavorings or syrups that might take the spotlight away from the coffee itself. A good drip coffee gives you the chance to appreciate what’s actually in your cup — the flavors, the balance, and the care that went into roasting it. And while ordering a drip coffee might not necessarily scream special or enticing, it does speak to quality and consistency. And for that, it speaks to comfort.
At Tala, that’s exactly what we have in mind when it comes to Ruca, our house drip coffee. Developed by our co-owner and head roaster, Keith, Ruca reflects our belief that approachable coffee and specialty coffee don't have to be two different things. We believe a great cup should be accessible to everyone without compromising quality, and our house blend is a great example of that. So, whether you’re a seasoned coffee enthusiast or someone who just wants a really good cup to get your morning going, Ruca is here for you. Because a good coffee doesn’t need to be complicated to be good. In fact, that’s kind of the point.
👉 Read more about our blend development process here!
So, With that being said…
As we head into another season of changing routines, cooler mornings, and ever-growing lists of seasonal drinks to try, consider this your reminder to give the basics a little love. Keep ordering your cappuccinos, your pumpkin spice lattes, and whatever else makes your coffee order yours. Just don’t count out a good mug of drip along the way.
As for me? I’m still a cappuccino loyalist. Probably always will be. But lately, I’ve been making a little more room for a good drip coffee, and honestly, I think that’s a pretty good place to start.
Rachel Severyns
Meet Rachel, our long-distance Marketing Operations Manager and a familiar face at our Libertyville café. A loyal stripes enthusiast and daily cappuccino devotee, her whimsical spirit shines through in everything she does. Although she now calls New York City home, you just might spot her behind the bar from time to time, jumping in for a shift whenever she’s back in town.