The Tala Blog
Featured Article
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.
Nganzo: Kibirizi – Rutsiro, Rwanda
Just one sip, and you’ll see why we’re so excited about this one. Nganzo: Kibirizi is bursting at the seams with big, sugary flavors—it’s the kind of coffee that instantly transports you to your happiest, most candy-fueled memories. Think brown sugar, molasses cookies, chocolate syrup, lemon tart, and soft dried fruits all layered together in one golden, syrupy, deliciously over-the-top cup.
A Kiddo’s Guide to “Coffee”
While we don’t have a formal kids’ menu, we definitely have a handful of drinks that cater to young tastes (or those looking for something sweet, comforting, and caffeine-free). Whether you’re a parent stopping in with your little one or just someone who’s craving a nostalgic break from the usual espresso routine, these drinks are for you.
Staff Cookout Recap
This past week, our team came together to celebrate the start of summer with a summer cookout at our Libertyville Roastery — a perfect way to enjoy good company and great weather. Our evening was filled with delicious food, plenty of over-caffeinated staff members, and lots of laughter!
Summer Drink Menu 2025
The summer heat is clearly here to stay, and so are some of your favorite refreshing drinks. We’re keeping the Ube Latte and the Main Squeeze on this season. We’re excited to also bring back two crowd favorites: The Orange You Glad and the Kopi & Kaya. In addition to these four, you’ll find an incredible cafe exclusive drink at each location as well.
Coffee Dictionary
Macchiato? Ristretto? Gibraltar? The coffee world comes with its vocabulary that most people don’t think about when ordering a drink at their local coffee shop. Understanding the language of coffee can enhance each sip, so we decided to compile a list of common words we often use in our day-to-day that might help you navigate menus, talk shop, and deepen your appreciation for the craft. Consider this your go-to guide for deciding on coffee, one word at a time!
Celebrating Eight Years
Thank you for celebrating with us last weekend! We are truly always surprised to see how many people come to celebrate with us. We’re thankful for a community that values a good party and shows up to support each other in little and big ways!
Dads Of Tala
This Father’s Day, we wanted to shine a light on the amazing dads who are part of the Tala family. We’re excited to share what they had to say about their favorite parts of being a dad, what surprised them, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Ube Cinnamon Rolls
Ube is a purple yam originally from the Philippines, known for its nutty, vanilla-like flavor and stunning color. We use it in our ube latte syrup, but this flavor deserves a spotlight beyond the cup. Its natural sweetness and subtle earthiness pair beautifully with cinnamon, brown sugar, and creamy frosting for the most decadent cinnamon rolls.
Mastercol: Huila, Colombia
We’re beyond thrilled to share our most exciting Colombia releases to date: Mastercol. This is a small but mighty lot—a natural-processed, single-varietal coffee sourced from just ten smallholder farmers across La Argentina, Oporapa, and San Agustín in Huila. It's a rare find, a dazzling combination of history, technique, and varietal, and we only have a small amount, so consider this your heads-up not to wait on trying this vibrant new coffee.