The Tala Blog
Featured Article
The Case for a Third Place
In a world that increasingly happens behind a screen, third places give us a reason to slow down, step outside, and simply be around other people. Marissa makes the case for coffee shops as modern third places — spaces where small, everyday interactions can foster connection and community.
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.
Huver Castillio: Nariño, Colombia
If you’re someone who likes a coffee with a little personality, meet one of our newest releases, Huver Castillo. This vibrant coffee from Nariño, Colombia, is the kind of cup that makes you stop and think.
Mastercol - Terra: Huila, Colombia
Mastercol – Terra is our first fresh-crop coffee of the new year from Huila, Colombia, arriving after an exceptional run of standout Huila lots throughout 2025. It immediately caught our attention as a double-fermented, single-varietal Caturra from Mastercol—one of our most trusted producer groups and long-term partners since 2017. This is a coffee that feels both familiar and exciting, building on everything we love about the region while offering a renewed sense of vibrancy.
Do you know the Muffin Women
Do you know the muffin women? Located in Mundelein, Illinois, in a nondescript wholesale kitchen is Holcomb Hollow. A business that began from “the plan is jam mentality,” if you get the friend's reference, you know, at the local farmers market, eventually developed into an original gluten-free flour recipe and all the baked goods behind it. Mia sits down with Melissa Norton, head baker and co-owner, and Elena Morris, chief operating officer, to learn more about what makes these muffins so special.
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.
How Do I Get Better at Tasting Coffee?
If you’ve ever taken a sip of coffee and wondered how some people can pick out tasting notes like peach, jasmine, and caramelized sugar, you’re not alone. Tasting coffee is a skill — one that develops over time.
Rung’eto Kii: Kirinyaga, Kenya
We’re thrilled to share our newest single-origin release: Rung’eto Kii, a vibrant and beautifully classic Kenyan coffee from Kirinyaga. Coffees like this one remind us exactly why Kenya remains one of the most celebrated coffee origins in the world. After a few challenging years for producers, it’s exciting to see Kenya’s coffee legacy shining bright once again, and this cup captures everything we’ve been missing.
La Argentina & Pitalito: Huila, Colombia
Yet another impressive coffee from Huila, Colombia! This time it's the super exciting Chiroso varietal. This one from the farmers in La Argentina & Pitalito jumps out with ripe, strong, jammy cherry filling sweetness, tangerine juice concentrate, and round apple flavors. A truly beautiful coffee we're excited to share at an incredible price, punching way above its weight class.
Coffee Horoscopes
The ~cosmos~ have spoken. Your destiny? Delicious. Gone are the days of circling your horoscope with a glitter gel pen and feeling known by the universe from a paragraph that told you to “embrace your sparkle”. Lucky for you, we’re bringing back that magic… coffee edition.