The Tala Blog

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What Is Ube?

Have you seen customers walking out of one of our cafes with a vibrant purple drink? You are likely looking at the Ube Latte! With its recognizable purple color and its sweet, nutty flavor, the ube latte has gained a loyal fanbase over the years. But what exactly is ube?

Joanna Tong Joanna Tong

Campus Coffee Isn’t Good

While we can’t fix the terrible cafeteria coffee that’s likely served at your university, we can make sure you’re stocked with great coffee and the right gear for the job.

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Alo Ochoa Alo Ochoa

What Does Your Mug Say About You?

Let’s be honest: the way we drink our coffee is personal. For some, it’s all about the roast; for others, the brewing method. But for a lot of us, it comes down to the mug. Whether it’s a chipped hand-me-down or a sleek travel tumbler, we tend to be loyal to our favorite cup, and that says a lot about who we are.

Inspired by Marissa’s tea personality quiz, we thought it’d be fun to flip the script. This time, we’re looking at the mugs our staff swear by. Based on your mug of choice, you’ll find out which Tala team member you're most like. Ready to sip your way to self-discovery?

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Joanna Tong Joanna Tong

Kopi & Kaya

We recently launched our summer drinks at our cafes, and this year, we decided to bring back one of our all-time favorites: The Kopi & Kaya. It’s been a few years since we’ve had it on the menu, and we’ve gotten a lot of questions about it—mostly, what is kopi and what is kaya?

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Rachel Severyns Rachel Severyns

Barista Beats: Highwood Cafe Playlists

When you walk into Tala, the first thing you notice is the atmosphere: the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the soft hum of conversations, and the comforting hiss of the espresso machine. But there’s another key ingredient to our cafe’s vibe—the music. The playlists you hear are handpicked by our baristas, adding a personal touch to your Tala experience. Ever wonder what they’re queuing up while they’re behind the bar? Let’s dive into our Highwood baristas’ favorite tracks and discover the sounds that fuel their shifts.

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Rachel Severyns Rachel Severyns

Brewing Romance

For Marissa and Zak, coffee isn’t just part of their daily routine; it’s where their love story began. Marissa, a barista at our Libertyville cafe, and Zak, a member of our production team, have spent countless hours together in cafes, both at work and in their free time.

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Community Haley Horvat Community Haley Horvat

One Year With Coffee Club

“I noticed that you had a Coffee Club subscription, and I just thought it would be a great way to dive in and explore what your business has to offer.” One year later Billy and Maria are still loving the perks and new experiences that come with trying a different coffee every month. 

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Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters

Favorite Memory: The Meeting

We’ve made it to the end, folks. End of the week, last look back on year two before we shove all nostalgia down and stuff it into the vault until next August. I won’t have as colorful storytelling as Matt, as eloquent language as Conner, or as sentimental, tear-jerking material as Marcus, but what I can do is ramble on aimlessly for awhile like I normally do. You should all be used to that by now.

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Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters

Favorite Memory: Ride to Work

I started at Tala in the midst of the pandemic, where many of us have been able to pursue new hobbies, interests, and curiosities. My goal throughout the more at-home time during quarantine was to spend more time with my family. I haven’t lived at home for many years, and this was a perfect opportunity to spend time with my loved ones.

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Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters

Favorite Memory: A Fruitful Year

Regardless of where you are in life or what you're going through, life has a funny way of bringing you joy. In my case, everything began changing for the better when I came to Tala. I was brought on board to the team the day before the cafe's first birthday last year. And let me tell you, so much has happened that this past year has felt like three.

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