Guatemala Max Perez

COFFEE BIOGRAPHY

Max Perez has become, in the past few years, a well-known and regarded name in Specialty coffee in Guatemala. His farms, fincas La Hermosa and Mama Cata sit in the high Acatenango valley in Chimaltenango, tucked between volcanoes. The slopes of Volcán de Acatenango provide the perfect growing conditions for excellent coffees. Altitudes of 1900 to 2100 meters above sea level, nutrient and mineral dense soils, steady annual rainfall of 1000mm, and a temperate climate make for an ideal micro-climate for exotic varieties.

Some dreams begin as whispers in the heart—quiet, persistent, and impossible to ignore. That was the case for Max Pérez, who grew up surrounded by coffee plantations, watching the
industry evolve around him. His family had been coffee producers for generations in Huehuetenango, yet when the time came, no one else chose to continue that legacy. Max, too,
initially took a different path, studying law, where he met Claudia—the woman who would become not only his wife but also his greatest partner in life. At 25, Max and Claudia graduated as lawyers, ready to build a future in their profession. But deep down, Max knew his calling was elsewhere. The land, the coffee, the craft—it all pulled him back. When he shared his vision with Claudia, she didn’t hesitate. They weren’t just starting a business; they were building a life together, rooted in faith, trust, and hard work.

In 2011, they purchased a piece of land—not a flourishing estate, but an abandoned farm, overgrown and forgotten. To the eyes, it was a place in ruin. But in their hearts, they saw something greater. They saw what could be. And so, with faith guiding them, they named it *La Hermosa*—not for what it was, but for what it would become. A place of beauty not just in its landscapes but in its purpose, its people, and the blessings it would bring. They had no inheritance to fall back on, no established farm to take over. They started from zero, relying on loans, resilience, and an unshakable belief that they were meant to be there. There were moments of uncertainty, of exhaustion, of wondering if they had taken on more than they could handle. But they pressed forward, step by step, turning obstacles into opportunities. Max, the visionary and innovator, saw potential where others saw difficulties. He experimented, adapted, and introduced new processes that would elevate the quality of their coffee. Claudia, with her creative mind and sharp eye for detail, transformed every part of the farm’s operations—organizing processes, ensuring excellence, and pouring heart into every step. Together, they built more than a farm; they built a home, a mission, and a legacy.

As La Hermosa grew, its impact reached beyond their family. The farm became a bridge—a place that connected people, created jobs, and transformed lives. The workers who once saw them as newcomers now stood beside them as a team, a family bonded by the same values: faith, honesty, and a commitment to quality. The customers who first arrived as buyers became friends, returning year after year, not just for coffee but for the relationships forged in trust and shared passion. La Hermosa became a blessing—not just for Max and Claudia but for an entire community.