Aysel Guluzada & Timur Lyapin

Imagine a bustling city cradled between the shimmering Caspian Sea and the rugged Caucasus Mountains. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, hums with life. The air carries the faint aroma of tea, a tradition as old as the cobblestone streets. But something new is brewing. Over the past 15 years, coffee has crept into the city’s soul, turning tea-drinkers into espresso aficionados. Picture the sunrise over the skyline as Timur Lyapin, a coffee consultant with a quiet intensity, and Aysel Guluzada, a vibrant enthusiast with a blogger’s curiosity, step into frame. They’re not champions with trophies, but unsung heroes pouring their hearts into every cup.

Timur Lyapin and Aysel Guluzada

Timur’s voice cuts through the morning stillness:

“When I started in 2008, we had one or two coffee shops in Baku.”

His journey began as a waiter, a humble start that led him to become a Barista Hustle Coach and Coffee trainer. Aysel, meanwhile, traces her love back to childhood, sipping Turkish coffee brewed by her mother in a Cezve. “Coffee is more than a drink,” she says, her eyes sparkling. “It connects people.” Together, they’re rewriting Baku’s story, one brew at a time.

Timur Lyapin

Flash back to 15 years ago. Baku’s coffee scene was a blank slate—barely a whisper of espresso amid the clink of tea glasses. Then came the roasteries, the international chains, the dreamers. Today, the city boasts ten roasteries, small but mighty, roasting beans that fill the air with promise. “People don’t just order cappuccinos anymore,” Aysel explains, leaning against a roastery counter. “They know what a cortado is, what filter coffee is.” It’s a revolution in slow motion, fueled by locals who dared to dream beyond tea.

Picture a bustling GCAG cupping event. Eighty people crowd into a roastery, spoons clinking, slurps echoing. Timur stands at the helm, guiding novices through the art of tasting. “We were surprised how many came,” Aysel admits, laughing. It’s a snapshot of community—baristas, enthusiasts, and curious newcomers united by coffee’s pull. Faces light up with discovery, a testament to Baku’s growing love affair with specialty brews.

Zoom in on Timur, his hands steady as he pours a filter coffee. “Specialty coffee isn’t just about the product,” he says. “It’s about the people who create it.” His path from waiter to consultant is a climb of grit and passion. He recalls his first espresso, a bitter shock that turned into a lifelong pursuit. Now, he’s the mentor, training baristas and dreaming of his own roastery—a place where education reigns supreme.

Aysel’s story unfolds in parallel. In 2020, motherhood left her adrift. Coffee became her anchor. “I found a basic barista course, and there was Timur,” she recalls. That chance meeting ignited her journey—coffee courses, blogging, and organizing events. Her blog isn’t just words; it’s a bridge, inviting others into coffee’s world. “I want to educate people,” she says, her voice firm.

Aysel Guluzada

“You don’t need to be an expert to start.”

The mood shifts. Shadows fall over the roastery as Timur explains the hurdles. “If you want to import green beans, you pay extra taxes.” Brazilian beans dominate, but Ethiopian and Costa Rican varieties are trickling in, a quiet rebellion against economic constraints. Baristas, too, face their struggles. A beginner earns $350 a month—a modest start. “With experience, it grows,” Timur notes. “Passion drives you forward.”

Aysel nods. “Being a barista is cool now,” she says, a smile breaking through. The social stigma is fading, but the path isn’t easy. Courses cost money, and salaries lag. Yet, the community persists, fueled by enthusiasm.

“If you see your finish line, start now. If not, brew at home and enjoy it.”

The climax arrives: coffee as a connector. Aysel’s eyes light up as she recounts meeting Timur.

“I was lost, but coffee found me.”

That connection birthed cuppings, plans, and a friendship that spans continents. Timur adds, “Coffee is the way of connection,” echoing Nokia’s old slogan. Aysel’s message is clear: “Don’t be afraid to try. Talk to baristas. Explore.” Their story isn’t about trophies—it’s about the dreamers, the learners, the unsung.

As the music swells, the story closes with an invitation. Visit Baku, taste its roasteries, savor its cuisine. Join a cupping. Connect. Timur and Aysel aren’t here to win medals—they’re here to share a story that empowers, one cup at a time. For coffee lovers and professionals alike, Baku’s scene is a reminder: greatness brews in the everyday.