There has been a quiet revolution in Iran’s coffee culture over the past few years. In a country that historically favoured tea, specialty coffee has emerged as a formidable cultural force.
Despite enduring some of the world’s toughest sanctions, harming economic growth, an increasing number of third wave cafés have appeared across cities like Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz in recent years.
But these coffee shops aren’t imitating Western coffee trends; they’re developing a distinctly Iranian approach to specialty coffee, incorporating local flavours and traditions while maintaining rigorous standards for quality and preparation.
To learn more about Iran’s growing coffee culture, I spoke with Mahsa Niyayesh, founder of the Iranian Women’s Coffee Association; Kazem Saeidi, roaster and quality manager at Talent Coffee Roastery; and Omid Dadashi, head educator and quality assurance manager at Mon Coffee Institute.
You may also like our article on coffee culture in Iran.
With its ancient trade links to China and the Silk Road, Iran is a predominantly tea-drinking country. But coffee has also been a prevalent part of its culture for centuries.
“The famous Iranian philosopher Avicenna (Ibn Sina) wrote exclusively about coffee in his book over a thousand years ago,” says Omid Dadashi, the head educator and quality assurance manager at Mon Coffee Institute, a specialty coffee roaster and education centre in Hamedan, Iran. “He used the word ‘buno’ for coffee as it was the common name for the beverage at that time. Avicenna reportedly used coffee to treat depression.”
According to legend, during the Safavid era, one of Iran’s most significant ruling dynasties, which reigned from 1501 to 1736, Shah Abbas was among the first to introduce coffee to the country.
During this period, coffee was regarded as a luxury drink and held a special status in the Safavid court, where it was only served to noblemen at official meetings and elite gatherings. Gradually, coffeehouses, known as qahveh-khaneh in Persian or Farsi, were established and became popular among the people during the reign of Shah Tahmasp. These coffeehouses proliferated in major Iranian cities, such as Isfahan, Tabriz, and Shiraz.
While tea remained the drink of choice in every home, coffee was considered a luxury affordable only to the few. Today, tea still plays a central role in Iranian culture, symbolising hospitality, but coffee is becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger consumers. Between 2008 and 2010, domestic coffee consumption per capita increased by an impressive 1,100%. Similarly, between 2018 and 2019, it grew by a fifth.
Cafés have become the new spaces for social gatherings, work, and study, particularly for millennial and Gen Z consumers.
“Coffee in Iran has transformed from a simple drink into a social experience,” says Kazem Saeidi, roaster and quality manager at Talent Coffee Roastery in Isfahan, Iran. “Alongside cafés, local roasteries have played a key role in expanding this culture.”
Data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity shows that Iran imported US $43.9 million in coffee in 2023, making it the 73rd largest importer of coffee in the world.
In April 2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration announced that 49,000 tonnes of coffee valued at US $148 million were imported into the country between March 2023 and March 2024. About 95% of this imported coffee came from the UAE, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Uganda.
The specialty coffee scene in Iran is also emerging, thanks to passionate and dedicated roasters and cafés.
“There is a lot of potential for specialty coffee in Iran as consumers demand better quality. We have many talented baristas, roasters, and cuppers who participate in annual national competitions,” Omid says. “We also have researchers who are passionate about coffee science. They invent and distribute products like sensory kits, espresso machines, and roasters.”
Despite challenges such as high import taxes and international sanctions, the number of specialty coffee roasters and coffee shops in Iran is proliferating, helping drive consumer demand for higher-quality coffee. These businesses had a noticeable presence at the 2025 World of Coffee Dubai event, for instance.
“Since the ban on roasted coffee imports to Iran, local roasteries have made significant progress in the specialty coffee sector,” says Kazem.
The sanctions imposed by the US since the 1970s, and the EU more recently, have had a profound impact on Iran’s economy. Aimed at isolating the country for its nuclear arms programme, the sanctions are seen as a way of forcing the government to the negotiating table. The US has imposed an almost total economic embargo on Iran, which includes sanctions on companies doing business with Iran, a ban on all Iranian-origin imports, and sanctions on Iranian financial institutions.
Since the introduction of stricter measures in early 2018, Iran’s currency, the rial, has steadily devalued, losing more than half of its value between 2019 and 2022 – making imports significantly more expensive. According to Iran’s statistical office, the country’s annual inflation rate exceeded 42% in 2022.
Iran’s coffee industry has also been impacted by the sanctions, which have limited access to specialty green coffee, modern equipment, and, most importantly, international payments, making business operations increasingly challenging.
To avoid incurring penalties, many international coffee traders no longer work directly with Iranian roasters and cafés. Instead, they send green coffee shipments to key trading hubs, such as Dubai or Turkey, first, which causes significant delays in deliveries – impeding freshness and quality.
“The sanctions force importers to find new ways to import coffees and equipment, making the process particularly difficult for smaller importers and businesses, as finding reputable companies that will adhere to their post-sale commitments has become quite challenging,” Kazem says. “However, there are still some well-established companies that have managed to maintain relationships and businesses with Iranian companies and have remained committed to their agreements as well.”
While the Specialty Coffee Association doesn’t have an independent ban on Iran, as a US-registered organisation, it must comply with US sanctions and regulations. To adhere to US law, the SCA must restrict its services to those residing in sanctioned countries, including Iran. This affects Iranians’ access to SCA services, including education courses and certifications, as well as participation in SCA-supported events and competitions.
“In 2017, the Specialty Coffee Association of America and the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe merged to create a single global association in the specialty coffee industry,” says Mahsa Niyayesh, the founder of the Iranian Women’s Coffee Association, the first of its kind in the country. The association supports Iranian women working in the coffee and hospitality industries, helping them face systemic challenges.
“After the merger of these two associations, all valid SCA certifications of Iranian certified instructors received before the merger were made invalid,” she adds.
Despite having no official access to SCA courses and championships, coffee competitions in Iran have experienced significant growth and are met with great enthusiasm. Several competitions regularly take place; in 2024, the country hosted its first syphon brewing and cupping competitions, and the Iran AeroPress Championship is held every year.
“Because of US sanctions, our coffee champions aren’t able to showcase their skills and talent on the global stage,” says Omid.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Barista Championship (IRIBC) is especially popular, playing a crucial role in showcasing local talent and fostering a competitive spirit. The Iran International Coffee Festival (also known as Coffeexiran), which hosts some of the country’s coffee competitions, is also driving awareness and the popularity of specialty coffee.
The coffee industry is notably male-dominated across all levels of the supply chain, but Iranian women have faced significant discrimination. As recently as 2014, women in the country weren’t permitted to work in coffee shops.
Thankfully, women have gradually carved their own space in the Iranian coffee industry. They are now actively involved in all levels, including green coffee buyers, roasters, baristas, managers, and trainers.
Iranian women also have inspiring role models to look up to. Laila Ghambari, the 2014 US Barista Champion of Iranian descent, has been a huge inspiration for women currently building careers in coffee in Iran or aspiring to do so. Raha Shahsavar, the winner of the 2025 UAE Coffee Roasting Championship, has also served as a head judge in barista competitions in Iran, serving as a prominent example of what women can achieve.
The Iranian Women’s Coffee Association is a significant development in the country’s coffee sector, highlighting the growing role of women in the industry. The association was founded by Mahsa with the primary goal of creating a network and providing support for women involved in all aspects of the Iranian coffee industry, including baristas, roasters, trainers, and sellers.
It aims to address the challenges faced by women in the industry and promote their professional growth. Today, the Iranian Women’s Coffee Association is a vital organisation working to create a more inclusive and equitable coffee industry in Iran.
While there are more Iranian women working in specialty coffee than ever before, increasing female representation in the industry remains a persistent challenge. Achieving gender parity in the coffee industry requires a concerted effort from everyone involved.
Improving access to education and mentorship will play a crucial role, as will establishing fairer and more equitable hiring practices. In turn, the Iranian coffee industry stands to gain a wealth of knowledge from including the perspectives and experiences of more women.
Despite sanctions and other economic challenges, Iranian coffee professionals are helping to support a burgeoning specialty coffee market. Although growth is currently limited, there is ample room for innovation and advancement.
In time, once economic conditions improve, we can hope to see Iranians involved in international coffee events and competitions.
Enjoyed this? Then read our article on why specialty coffee needs to see more women in roasting.
Photo credits: Omid Dadashi, Kazem Saeidi
Perfect Daily Grind
Want to read more articles like this? Sign up for our newsletter!
Bhavi is a brand-building specialist, a dairy technologist, and a storyteller with a keen interest in coffee.
Want to receive the latest coffee news and educational resources? Sign up for our free newsletter!
You can unsubscribe at any time
Perfect Daily Grind Ltd,
Webster Griffin,
Brooklands Park,
Farningham Road,
Crowborough,
East Sussex
TN6 2JD United Kingdom
info@perfectdailygrind.com
Company registration no. 9673156
Want to receive the latest coffee news and educational resources?
Sign up for our free newsletter!
You can unsubscribe at any time