The Tala Blog
Featured Article
The Return of the Baklava Latte
It started as an experiment, and now it’s the drink our regulars refuse to let us take off the seasonal menu. The beloved Baklava Latte was formerly an exclusive drink at our Libertyville café, but it was met with such rave reviews that we knew it needed a semi-permanent spot on the seasonal menu at all of our cafes.
October Events
October is here, which means cooler mornings, fall drinks, and plenty happening around our cafés. We’ve got events, pop-ups, new things to try, and a few good excuses to make a coffee run.
Busambo: Kayanza, Burundi
We’re excited to welcome Busambo to the lineup, sourced through our friends at Red Fox Coffee Merchants and processed at the Umoco washing station near Kayanza. With notes of candied grapefruit, Rainier cherry, and cream soda, this one brings plenty of sweetness and a super-clean acidity to every sip.
Bochessa: sidama, Ethiopia
There’s a reason Ethiopian coffees have such a strong reputation. Between the high elevations, heirloom varietals, and unique growing regions, they tend to have a character all their own. Bochessa is a great example.
August Events 🗓
August is here, and we're making the most of every last bit of summer. Long evenings, iced coffee in hand, weekends spent outside, and a calendar full of reasons to gather — there's still plenty of the season left to enjoy before routines shift and fall settles in.
Read what’s brewing this month.
Coffee Co-Fermentation Explained
Unlike traditional processing methods, co-fermentation intentionally introduces additional ingredients during fermentation. Whether you're already a fan of fruit-forward coffees or you're trying co-fermentation for the first time, these unique coffees are a delicious reminder that every step of the coffee journey plays a role in what's ultimately in your cup.
June Events 🗓
As summer gets underway, we’re excited to share a fresh lineup of events designed to help you soak it all in. From community celebrations and local pop-ups to new drink menus, plenty is happening this month. We can’t wait to spend another summer with you! ☀️
Read what’s brewing this month.
May Events
As the weather turns, we’re excited to offer an exciting lineup of events this month to ring in spring, help you defrost, and treat yourself after braving yet another Chicago winter.
Read what’s brewing this month.
Coffee Varietals Explained
The cup you drank this morning had a lineage. It came from a specific plant, with a genetic history, grown at an elevation, selected by the farmer for particular reasons. And almost none of that appears on the label.
The varietal of a given coffee is an entrance into the story of that lineage.
Debunking the Aftermath of your Cup of Joe
There are times when you have those big plans, the ones that require you to be wide awake and ready to go, and you think coffee is just the little treat you need. You order, you drink, you enjoy, you wait, anticipating the subtle alertness that is sure to come. And nothing. You drink your coffee, and not only do you not feel energized, but you still feel sleepy. So what happened?