For Iley Özerlat- Gunduz, whose grandfather founded Özerlat UK, Turkish coffee is about far more than what is in the cup. It is about family, heritage, tradition and the moments shared around it.
As a fourth-generation member of the Özerlat family, Iley is carrying forward a business with roots stretching back more than a century, while continuing to evolve the brand for a modern audience in the UK and beyond.
We caught up with Iley to talk about the family heritage behind Özerlat, preserving traditional craftsmanship, building a loyal community and what she hopes the next generation will take from the business.
What does Özerlat mean to you and your family, and how has that shaped the business?
Özerlat is my family name and my heritage, so everything about it is very personal to me. Every success and every failure feels deeply personal because I know I am carrying forward something that began long before me.
As a fourth-generation member of the family, every time we place an Özerlat product on a shop shelf in the UK or another country, I think of my great-grandfather. I often wonder what he would think if he could see where the brand he founded over a century ago has reached today, and it always puts a smile on my face.
I never had the chance to meet my grandfather, as he passed away when my father was only 14 years old. Thinking that he might be proud of what we have achieved today makes me incredibly happy and motivates me to keep building on what previous generations started.
How do you balance the traditions and heritage behind Özerlat with the expectations of a modern UK customer?
We take the authenticity and provenance of our products very seriously, while always striving to improve, whether that's in taste, sustainability or creating products that fit modern lifestyles.
All of our products have a rich heritage. Our Turkish coffee is roasted using artisan methods that are more than a century old. Our Turkish delight is produced by one of the oldest manufacturers, using a recipe that dates back to the 18th century. Even the cultivation of the Aydın figs used in our chocolate-coated fig selection has roots stretching back thousands of years.
We work with specialist family-run artisan producers who share our respect for heritage. Together, we develop recipes using natural ingredients and traditional craftsmanship, while ensuring the products meet the expectations of today's consumers.
Early in our journey, we also partnered with a boutique packaging supplier, and together we continually look for ways to reduce plastic and improve the sustainability of our packaging materials.
For us, balancing heritage and modern expectations means bringing together exceptional ingredients, authentic recipes, responsible packaging and great taste. We believe customers shouldn't have to choose between tradition and modern values.
What has been the most rewarding part of building Özerlat into the brand it is today?
My goal in starting this business was to help people discover and appreciate authentic Turkish coffee and traditional products.
In the early years, we spent a lot of time actively promoting our products, telling our story and explaining what made them different.
Over the last few years, something has changed. We have started receiving enquiries from customers who tell us that our products were recommended by their customers, or that they discovered us in a shop, at an event or through a friend and would like to stock our products themselves.
That has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. Seeing people not only enjoy our products, but actively seek them out and recommend them to others, gives us confidence that what we are doing matters.
There were many occasions when I wondered whether people would truly appreciate authentic Turkish coffee or traditional Turkish delight. Seeing that we have built a loyal following and continue to grow that community is something I am incredibly proud of.
Turkish coffee is about so much more than coffee. What do you hope people experience when they discover Özerlat?
To me, Turkish coffee represents a moment to slow down and appreciate the present. It reminds me of conversations with my mother and grandmother, because those are some of the moments when I enjoy Turkish coffee most back home.
It's the mid-morning break, catching up with friends, welcoming visitors or celebrating important occasions such as engagements and holidays. It's not just a drink, it's part of creating meaningful moments together.
When people discover Özerlat, I hope they experience that same feeling, or their own version of it. More than anything, I hope our products become something they want to share with family and friends. For me, there is no greater compliment than knowing a product has become part of someone's memories and traditions.
What do you hope the next generation of your family will inherit from Özerlat?
Its values.
Of course, I would love it if my son chose to continue the Özerlat journey one day, but whether he joins the business or not, I hope he carries forward the values that have shaped it.
Those values are being genuine, acting ethically, respecting and preserving our heritage, and always pushing ourselves to do better.
For me, success isn't just about building a business. It's about passing on principles that help future generations build something meaningful of their own.
