The Tala Blog
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March Events
March always feels like the deep breath before the exhale. The light lingers a little longer, the air softens (just slightly), and we start emerging from full-on winter mode. After months of bundling up and keeping cozy, it finally feels like we’re stepping out of hibernation — and we’re celebrating the best way we know how: with coffee, community, and a lineup of events at Tala.
Introducing Tala Tonics
These new mainstays are a simple but powerful new line of drinks with a sparkling water base. Each unique flavor is intricately crafted with a house-made syrup which we add to sparkling water for a refreshing pick-me-up. These five drinks are available today at all of our cafes.
Dueling Processes: Washed vs Natural
It isn’t every day that you get the chance to see how distinctly the processing method can change the flavor of a coffee. We are excited to offer both washed and natural versions of our Chelbesa Washing Station coffee on our online store. This unique opportunity allows you to explore and appreciate the diverse flavor profiles that result from different processing techniques.
Summer Drink Menu 2024
Summer is officially here, and so is our summer drink lineup! Now that we have six summer seasons under our belt, we have a lot of favorite drinks to choose from. Customers often ask us earnestly to bring back their favorite drink from previous years, but the problem is everyone has a different favorite. This year we decided to take the guesswork out and get scientific about it with an Instagram poll (nothing screams scientific like social media, right?!).
Cordillera de Fuego: Tarrazu, Costa Rica
Cordillera de Fuego is an anaerobic processed coffeed where precision meets innovation. Handpicked at peak ripeness with a brix degree (a measurement of sugar content) near 26, mature cherries undergo meticulous depulping and fermentation in an oxygen-free environment. This unique process enhances the coffee's flavor with a blend of lactic and malic acids, defining its intricate cup profile. Finally, the coffee is sun-dried to perfection.
Winnetka Cafe Grand Opening
We are so incredibly blessed by the community that has supported us since opening our doors in late November. Since then, we have been welcomed to the neighborhood with open arms, and have been so grateful to see the way the community has already taken to our new little corner of the Indian Hill district.
Finca Cruz Loma: Pichincha, Ecuador
A new and exciting single origin is joining the roster for Tala Coffee Club members: Finca Cruz Loma. This lively, honey-processed coffee dances on your palate with flavors of sangria, apricot, and nougat, offering a unique and delightful tasting experience.
Best Chicago Coffee for SCA Expo
If you’re visiting from out of town, you may be interested to hear what the best places to go are from a local’s perspective. Whenever I travel, I look for the opinions of real people—in fact, I usually just ask the baristas at the first cafe I go to where I should go. Consider this that conversation, except ahead of time.
Libertyville Cafe Grand Opening
As you may know, this past weekend we celebrated the Grand Opening of our Libertyville Cafe. Since opening on September 1st, we have been blown away by the support of our community, and we were so grateful to officially celebrate that by cutting the ribbon!
Tariku Kare: Sidama, Ethiopia
Introducing the exquisite coffee from Refisa Washing Station, located in Nensebo woreda, Oromia, Ethiopia. This is one of those coffees that will stick in your memories and that you'll tell stories about later when you think of some of the better coffee experiences you've had.