The Tala Blog

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Coffee Varietals Explained

The cup you drank this morning had a lineage. It came from a specific plant, with a genetic history, grown at an elevation, selected by the farmer for particular reasons. And almost none of that appears on the label. The varietal of a given coffee is an entrance into the story of that lineage. 

Community Mike Michalak Community Mike Michalak

Birthday Coloring Contest Gallery

As part of our 8th birthday celebration at our Libertyville Roastery, we hosted a coloring contest, and let’s just say, our community showed up with some serious creativity! We were blown away by the range of entries — from playful to impressively detailed — and had a tough time narrowing down our favorites. Check out our gallery of all of the amazing entries below!

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Technical Tala Coffee Roasters Technical Tala Coffee Roasters

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.

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Community Rachel Severyns Community Rachel Severyns

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.

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Community Rachel Severyns Community Rachel Severyns

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!

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News Joanna Tong News Joanna Tong

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.

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Technical Maya Johnson Technical Maya Johnson

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! 

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News, Community Tala Coffee Roasters News, Community Tala Coffee Roasters

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!

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Community Marissa Cummings Community Marissa Cummings

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.

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Recipes Alo Ochoa Recipes Alo Ochoa

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.

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