Marcelino Pérez

Marcelino Pérez is a 50-year-old coffee producer whose professional identity is deeply rooted in the landscape of Chiapas, Mexico. His journey in the coffee industry began at the age of 14, when he learned the foundational skills of coffee cultivation from his uncle, who served as a landlord on the land that Pérez continues to farm today. As one of three siblings, Pérez has maintained a lifelong commitment to the craft, balancing family responsibilities with the rigorous demands of smallholder coffee production.

The farm operated by Pérez is situated at an elevation of approximately 880 meters above sea level in the Las Nubes ejido. This specific micro-climate presents unique challenges, particularly regarding humidity and temperature, which can complicate the drying process. To overcome these environmental hurdles, Pérez employs a strategic approach to post-harvest processing, often transporting coffee cherries to lower elevations to ensure more efficient and consistent drying conditions.

In his practice, Pérez focuses on the cultivation of the Typica variety, though he has expressed a personal affinity for Bourbon due to its noble cultivation characteristics and high quality. His production methods are characterized by a meticulous attention to detail, often involving a 48-hour fermentation period in plastic containers followed by a thirty-day drying process on raised beds under direct sunlight. This natural processing method is designed to highlight specific flavor profiles, often noted for their notes of caramel, citrus, green apple, and lime.

A significant aspect of Pérez's recent work involves his collaboration with Cafeología, a Chiapas-based organization dedicated to education and the development of regional coffee producers. This partnership serves as a conduit for implementing innovative agricultural practices and refining processing techniques. By working with such groups, Pérez is able to elevate the quality of his harvest and gain access to specialty markets that value traceability and direct relationships.

For the roaster and the consumer, the name Marcelino Pérez represents a commitment to the artisanal traditions of Mexican coffee. The traceability provided by his partnership with groups like Cafeología allows for a transparent look at the labor and environmental management required to produce high-quality lots in challenging climates. His work serves as a case study in how smallholder farmers can leverage regional expertise to improve their output and market standing.

It is important to distinguish this producer from other individuals sharing the same name, such as the retired Spanish footballer or unrelated coffee brands operating in different countries like Colombia. The Marcelino Pérez associated with the Chiapas coffee sector is defined by his specific regional output and his documented contributions to the specialty coffee landscape in Mexico. His story remains a testament to the generational knowledge and adaptive strategies required to sustain coffee farming in the modern era.