Malaysian Coffee Culture Experiencing Dramatic Shift To Attract Younger Generation – CoffeeTalk

Over the past decade, Malaysia’s coffee culture has evolved alongside the internet and social media. From traditional Kopi Kampung or Kopi O to international brands and popular coffee chains, the trend has shifted towards plant-based alternatives, leading to a surge in cafes using oat milk and almond milk in their brews. Gen Zs prefer to socialize at the best-looking cafes in town for various reasons, such as the calm atmosphere, pleasant background music, and good coffee at reasonable prices.

The difference between old and new coffee drinkers lies in their choices of coffee varieties and flavors. Traditional types of Malaysian coffee include Kopi O, Kopi C, and Kopi Kosong, which were purely about having a cup of refreshing black coffee with a rich aroma served in a medium-sized ceramic or glass cup. In contrast, the younger generation goes for aesthetic cafes with fancy latte art and a high-speed internet connection.

Malay Kampung is now home to around 50 independent cafes run by semi-professional baristas who used to brew coffee for giant coffee chains. Akhlaken Coffee, a popular street coffee operator in Meru, has been in business for the past two years and recently opened up a new branch. Marketing director Mohammad Nasrullah Mohd Noor said that there was a huge demand for special locally-brewed coffee following the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gen X parents are slowly adapting to the artisan coffee concept, as they are also internet savvy and have TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram accounts. Gen Zs will come with their parents who were born in the early ’70s and grew up with traditional coffee as they mostly lived in the kampung neighborhood. They are also internet savvy, having TikTok, Facebook, or at least Instagram, and posting pictures on social media.

In Malaysia, coffee culture has a long history, witnessing major changes across the country’s political and cultural landscape. As mamak restaurants and Chinese kopitiams thrived from one generation to another, modern cafes continue to gain momentum. It is no longer just about drinking a cup of coffee; it has evolved into how you understand your coffee and how you present yourself with it. In our unique multicultural community, there is a flavourful future for our coffee culture. Combined with old traditions and robust innovation, we may see the trend continue to brew for many years to come.

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