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.
Naturally Processed Coffee: What is it?
A naturally processed coffee is one of those things that sounds a little intimidating until you realize it’s actually pretty simple. It’s not flavored coffee, and it’s not some overly technical coffee-world secret. It’s just a different way of handling the coffee cherry after it’s picked, and it has a huge impact on how the coffee tastes in your cup.
Nguisse Nare: Sadama, Ethiopia
There are coffees that impress on paper, and then there are coffees that stop you mid-sip. When the latest fresh-crop Ethiopia arrivals came through our friends at Crop to Cup, this lot from Nguisse Nare immediately stood out. Exceptional traceability. A remarkable score. An experimental anaerobic process executed with clear intention. But impressive details only go so far. What mattered most? The cup. And from the very first brew, it absolutely delivered.
Finca El Placer: Huila, Colombia
Finca El Placer is a big name in coffee, and for good reason. Tucked into the high-elevation terrain of Acevedo, Huila, this distinguished farm has become synonymous with meticulous craftsmanship, vibrant flavor, and some of the most exciting Pink Bourbon lots in the industry. At the heart of it all is producer Jesús Arbey Iquira, a name celebrated by coffee professionals around the world for his precision, dedication, and deep understanding of his land.