Where legacy meets innovation in the birthplace of Mexican coffee.
In Coatepec, Veracruz—the very place where arabica coffee first arrived in Mexico—Ernesto Pérez and his sister Givette Pérez Orea carry forward a remarkable family legacy that stretches back to the 19th century. Their great-grandfather, Antonio Pérez Galván, worked as a coffee trader and cupper for the Arbuckle Brothers, fluent in both English and Spanish, helping shape the early days of Mexican coffee trade.
Fast forward to today, and that same spirit of excellence continues at Finca Fátima. This 20-hectare estate, acquired by the family in the 1970s, sits at the northern edge of the coffee-growing tropics. Here, cool nights and longer maturation periods create a density of flavor that makes Veracruz coffee truly distinctive. In 2019, Finca Fátima placed in the top 10 of Mexico's Cup of Excellence—a testament to the meticulous care this brother-and-sister team bring to every harvest.
Tasting Notes: Meyer Lemon, Apricot, Red Berry, Caramel, Stone Fruit
This is Mexican coffee at its finest—bright, lively, and impossibly clean. The cup opens with a beautiful Meyer lemon brightness that immediately awakens the palate, followed by the soft sweetness of ripe apricot and stone fruit. Lush red berry notes dance through the middle, while a gentle caramel sweetness provides a comforting foundation.
The Marsellesa varietal brings something special to this cup—it's a rust-resistant hybrid that manages to preserve the delicate, elegant qualities of its Bourbon lineage while thriving in Coatepec's unique microclimate. The result is a coffee that feels both classic and distinctly modern.
Ernesto and Givette process all their coffee at Finca Fátima's mill, maintaining complete control from cherry to parchment. Only the ripest cherries are handpicked, then depulped and fermented for 48 hours in concrete tanks. After washing with clean water, the parchment is carefully dried in temperature-controlled Guardiola dryers for four days—a method that preserves the coffee's bright acidity and delicate fruit notes.
This coffee shines brightest in pour-over preparations, where its clarity and fruit-forward character can fully express themselves. The brightness makes it an excellent morning companion, while the balanced sweetness ensures it's approachable enough for any time of day.
Origin: Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico
Producers: Ernesto Pérez & Givette Pérez Orea
Altitude: 1,250 meters
Varietal: Marsellesa
Process: Washed
Roast Level: Light
Available in: Whole Bean | Ground to Order
A Crown Jewel microlot representing generations of coffee knowledge, dedication to quality, and the unique terroir of Mexico's coffee birthplace.
Tasting Notes:
Meyer Lemon | Apricot | Red Berry
Roasted with intention in Lombard, Illinois
Legacy meets innovation in every cup.
