The Tala Blog
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Day In The Life: Neighborly Delivery Driver
Ever wonder what it takes to keep your favorite Tala orders moving? Spend a day on the road with Zak, one of our neighborly delivery drivers, as he makes his way through Libertyville, Green Oaks, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Highland Park, Fort Sheridan, and Highwood.
Fall Drink Menu 2024
The long-awaited Fall drinks are here! We’ve been having people ask about the Pumpkin Spice Latte since July, so we know that there are some excited folks out there. This year, we have your top-three favorite drinks returning, along with a unique drink for each cafe location!
Espresso Martini
It would be irresponsible of me not to warn you about how perfect this recipe is as a pick-me-up. It’s tailor-made for those late afternoon/early evening slumps. Swing by before we close at six to grab your espresso and a splash of vanilla.
Tesfaye Bekele: Guji, Ethiopia
We love this coffee for its flavors that take us back to those 2nd-grade lunchbox fruit cups, especially the peach ones in light syrup, paired with rich, complex Demerara sugar and ripe melon that lingers in the finish. This is undeniably delicious!
Tala To-Go: Sipping, Strolling, and Sculptures
Join us on a “Tala Adventure” as we take our coffee beyond the café and into the heart of the communities we love. Alo takes us on her adventure to a local art festival and to grab a bite to eat.
San Diego Mill: Tarrazu, Costa Rica
This coffee was noticeably sweet, effervescent, and creamy. "Cherry cola Italian soda" was the experience that immediately came to mind when I first tasted it.
Introducing 93 Octane
Today we are launching 93 Octane in our Winnetka Cafe only. This drink, made with plum jam, brown sugar, and cardamom is sure to make a splash with its deep fruity goodness. Learn the story behind this new drink.
Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee
If you’ve ever come to Tala looking to order an iced coffee, you were likely met with something along the lines of, “Unfortunately, we don’t carry iced coffee. Is cold brew okay?” At Tala, we empathize with the fact that having to change up your daily order can be jarring. But if you enjoy your coffee cold and black, we believe we're doing you a favor with our singular option.
Cold Brew Chia Seed Pudding
In college, my roommates and I pretty much lived off of chia seed pudding. As health-conscious but nevertheless thrifty students, we found a big bag of chia seeds could go a long way to fulfilling our needs. We’d all chip in on a Costco-size bag and then have fast, easy meals for weeks. The best part for us then was how easy and versatile it could be. We tried endless variations so we never got bored of the flavor.
Behind the Bar with Grace
Grace joined the Tala crew in the summer of 2023 and, as of this month, is now the new manager of the Highwood location. All the way from Hartford, Wisconsin, Grace made the big move to Illinois to study international relations and environmental studies. You’ve probably seen her in the cafe with a big warm smile on her face. You can come see her at Tala most days of the week!