Evolving coffee tradition brews change in Ankara's lifestyle

by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Once renowned as a hub for traditional Turkish coffee, Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, is now awakening to a different kind of brew -- a surge of Western-style cafes, third-wave roasters, and a cohort of young enthusiasts are infusing the city's caffeinated narrative with an espresso-fueled vitality.

Across Ankara, especially in central neighborhoods like Kizilay, modern cafes are multiplying, offering new tastes and experiences for local residents. From early morning commuters to night owls savoring cappuccinos past midnight, the evolution of the coffee tradition is reshaping the city's leisure life.

Where once tea and Turkish coffee dominated, today's streets are filled with coffee shops serving flat whites and cold brews to beat the summer heat.

These contemporary cafes are increasingly becoming a regular part of the daily routine for young professionals, students, and even retirees alike, offering more than just a caffeine boost.

"With bigger and comfortable spaces, coffee-lovers have found places with a wider range of products and prices. The result is a stunning rise in the coffee culture," Ahmet Erdogan, a local coffee-lover, told Xinhua.

While enjoying a cold brew in the lively Kizilay, Erdogan noted that although his country has a long tradition of Turkish coffee, "the introduction of new flavors is very welcome."

The development of the coffee culture highlights a change in people's lifestyles. Today, cafes serve multiple purposes such as study areas, remote workspaces, and social gathering places.

"There is a growing interest to the coffee culture from both young people and older generations," said Erenay Saglam, 26, a female barista at another cafe in Kizilay.

"In Türkiye, there is a historic attachment to coffee dating to the Ottoman times and this has been the origin of today's interest to the coffee culture," she explained.

This new trend on the coffee culture is also creating job opportunities for young people, especially as the country is facing challenging economic times.

"Making coffee is fun, presenting the coffee to a satisfied customer is even more fun," Saglam said with a smile on her face.

For many, working in a cafe is not just a profession but a means to build connections with others.

Increasingly, young people are choosing coffee-making as a career, frequently opting for practical experience and barista training over conventional educational paths.

"I choose to be a barista because of my personal decision, I didn't want to go to university and took courses and certificates to become a barista," said Ahmet Burhan Durmus, a 21-year-old barista working in Kizilay.

"In Ankara, the coffee culture is evolving. Just like in Istanbul, you can now find many open coffee shops late into the night," the young man observed.■