We believe that coffee is an everyday adventure — and every person choosing to embark on this passionate pursuit of discovery has their own story to tell.
We started this special series because we believe that each #CoffeeAdventurer has a story worth sharing. Coffee is often seen as a solo ritual, but it's always better when the experience is shared — and to us, being able to share the unique stories of the #CoffeeAdventurers we meet is no different.
What we love most about the coffee community is how everyone is so seamlessly connected to one another. Regardless of their origin, experience, or preferences, the coffee community always welcomes new faces who are keen to learn and explore. It’s a community that constantly supports growth, curiosity, and development. This series is our way of paying homage to the movers and tastemakers that make this community so awesome.
For our next feature in our #CoffeeAdventurer series, we'd like to introduce an indelible coffee content creator, barista, and rockstar illustrator: Nükhet Çubukçular, hailing all the way from Turkey 🇹🇷
Meet Nükhet Çubukçular
Meet Nükhet Çubukçular — artist, designer, barista, coffee roaster, and certified #CoffeeAdventurer.
Born and raised in Turkey, Nükhet found herself on a whirlwind journey when she stepped into the world of specialty coffee.
Surprisingly enough, her humble beginnings started in extreme sports, specifically snowboarding, where she realized her passion for adventure. As she moved on from her extreme sports career, she found herself looking for places to work where her medium of self expression would be openly welcomed.
Coffee was a natural fit where she found her newfound passion because of how open and accepting the community is. Just like the diversity of coffees and brew methods there are, she found her place in a welcoming and thriving community of creative, like minded people.
Without a doubt, Nükhet stands out in the coffee community thanks to her unique artistic expression, which is a combination of her many talents: photography, graphic design, and even her proud display of beautiful tattoos.
For Nükhet, the specialty coffee community is her safe space where she gets to be the full expression of herself; it’s where she started out as a barista, gained invaluable experience as an assistant coffee roaster, and is now doing amazing collaborations with international coffee brands around the world to create beautiful graphic designs.
Through coffee, she’s had the opportunity to meet countless people and fellow coffee lovers who became her friends and served as her inspiration in her own coffee journey.
“When I first started working as a barista, I was very scared. My excitement started to turn into passion as I started doing research on the way to and from work. There is no better moment than when people trust you and let you decide how to spend the rest of the day. I cannot forget any moment of experiencing every day in the cafe, which became the second home of celebrities, actors and musicians. And I miss that so much.”
These days, you can find her juggling a few hats — brewing at home and sharpening her skills as a barista, creating gorgeous coffee content with her own unique twist, and applying her signature artistic touch to collaborations with coffee brands like Rabbit Hole Roasters, Orea, Cxfeeblack, and who knows, maybe ICOSA Brewhouse soon!
We had the honor of talking to Nükhet about her journey, what drives her passion, and what being a #coffeeadventurer means to her.
"Being friends with people from different countries, climates and time zones made me realize that in two years: we have a common consciousness... My greatest discovery on this journey is to feel deeply respected, open to differences, unprejudiced, and excited to learn something new every day."
Think back to how your adventure into specialty coffee first started. As they always say, ‘it’s not about destination, but the journey that makes it all worthwhile’. Was there a memorable moment or experience that really stands out?
Nükhet: “When I first started working as a barista, I was very scared. My excitement started to turn into passion as I started doing research on the way to and from work. Standard recipes are generally applied in workplaces. I started to experiment with quietly changing the temperature of the water and changing the grinding degree.
I promised myself that one day I would make bright sweet coffees that would appeal to even someone who doesn't like black coffee. I was not taking orders from some customers, I was suggesting something every day and changing their taste buds. There is no better moment than when people trust you and let you decide how to spend the rest of the day. I cannot forget any moment of experiencing every day in the cafe, which became the second home of celebrities, actors and musicians. And I miss that so much.”
The best adventures are often the ones that are unplanned–the ones that lead us to new, unforgettable experiences when we least expect it. What’s something new you discovered through your coffee adventure?
Nükhet: “Our lives have changed unexpectedly with the pandemic. In this adventure that dragged me from barista to roasting assistant and designer, I communicated with so many important people that sometimes I don't believe it. Being in contact with names such as Lance, Taco, Mordy, 50% arabica, @cxffeeblack, @orea.uk, @europeancoffeetrip and @despresso5drago, @jerney and @arianx, who influenced me in terms of photography, and they’re teaching me something every day and being inspirational is invaluable.
Being friends with people from different countries, climates and time zones made me realize that in two years: we have a common consciousness. These are possibilities that contain many possibilities. I haven't been able to realize the dream that I have set for myself yet, but much more importantly, I have found who I will go with on the road to this dream. My greatest discovery on this journey is to feel deeply respected, open to differences, unprejudiced, and excited to learn something new every day.
I learned all of them from the coffee community and I am grateful every day. I completed my certificates with Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency this month and attended the necessary training. It has been great happiness and excitement for me to do my best as a volunteer for earthquake, fire, war, search and rescue assistance.”
What I love about the coffee community is the diverse backgrounds and talents of each person I meet. As a coffee adventurer, could you share more about any interesting passion projects or hobbies you’re involved in?
Nükhet: “In addition to my interest in sci-fi movies, the biggest reason I was adventurous and passionate is because I was a snowboarder. This is a culture intertwined with art and music since my childhood. I am very lucky to be able to freely do projects with the people I've met in the coffee community. Sometimes preparing the presentation cards of a friend who will take the stage in the championship, sometimes selling an illustration digitally and helping with donation projects such as raw materials, and sometimes collecting donations with the sale of t-shirts and profits, as I did with @iamnotabarista and @orea.uk.
My biggest dream hasn't come true yet. What I tell only one person is the ultimate purpose of my existence. Yemen and Uganda are two places I want to go. Of course, I want to go everywhere, especially Asian coffees are very attractive to me. There are many cultural and regional places I would like to visit, but my first place is Yemen and Uganda. I want to spend time with coffee farmer families. I want to paint with the children there. I would like to edit these pictures in a digital environment later and support the future of farmer children with the income from NFT sales. Coffee farmers are real laborers. I want an opportunity to give hope to children for sustainable agriculture and to show the value of this work to the world. This is my only life purpose right now.
My biggest project is to inspire hopeful young generations through my passion for technology, design and coffee.”
You were one of the lucky winners of a set of AVENSI glasses from our recent giveaway, how has using the glasses contributed to your coffee sensory journey so far?
Nükhet: I prefer when I have special coffees for AVENSI. My favorite feature is that AVENSI becomes my coolest carafe when brewing small doses. It balanced the flavor so much! Especially Senti! It gives me beautiful results, high aroma, and beautiful body feels and it’s my favorite for now.
What does it mean to you to be a ‘Coffee Adventurer’?
Nükhet: “To be brave. Knowing the rules, but admiring the change. Having a passion for capturing a childhood memory in a glass of coffee with your eyes closed. The feeling of peace and excitement at the same time.”
"I wish people would look more at nature and how balance exists. I wish them to take a deeper look at the fact that the balance we seek in a cup of coffee is a law from nature. Coffee has a lot to teach us."
What’s one tip you’d like to share with your fellow coffee adventurers when it comes to starting or continuing on this never ending journey that we all share?
Nükhet: “I wish people would look more at nature and how balance exists. I wish them to take a deeper look at the fact that the balance we seek in a cup of coffee is a law from nature. Coffee has a lot to teach us. It is on our palate to stand strong like a tree, to have differences according to the region and to have a respectful place for all differences.
For beginners, I can advise them not to be afraid to experiment, read, research and never hesitate to ask questions. For those who have been interested in this job for a long time, sometimes remembering the things that impressed you the most when you started this job fuels your excitement. We live in a very crazy and fast age. I share unpredictable experiences with someone every day. I wish all of us to share more. With the excitement of going on more adventures together... Peace.”
It's been quite the adventure for Nükhet so far in her coffee journey and by the looks of it, it’s only just the beginning of an exciting new chapter ahead!
It’s so inspiring to see how Nükhet found not just a community, but a newfound family thanks to specialty coffee — a family that has accepted and embraced her originality, her artistry, and her uniqueness.
Get inspired by Nükhet’s coffee journey and check out some of her amazing work by following her on Instagram - @blckhoneygirl!
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