10 - Rancho El Separo - Mexico 2025 (Wet)

My name is Monika Frankenberger, and I hold a master’s degree in human rights. But my deepest calling has always been the land—something I inherited from my father and uncle, and share with my husband, Senén. Together, we care for every coffee plant that grows on our family farm in the highlands of Tlaltetela, Veracruz, at 1,400 meters above sea level. That’s how Rancho El Separo was born.

This is more than a farm. It's a living tribute to three generations of coffee growers before us, and a promise to honor their legacy by crafting specialty coffee with care and purpose. Since 2021, we've dedicated ourselves to learning, experimenting, and refining our processes—always with love, curiosity, and deep respect for the land.

Every harvest is planned conciously. We pay our pickers a premium to select only the ripest cherries directly from the tree. The lot is floated in clean water to remove defects, then carefully depulped, washed, and sun-dried on patios. Our plants follow a tailored nutrition plan supported by the YARA program, and our parchment is stored in climate-conscious conditions to preserve its integrity.

Specialty coffee has allowed us to see our work through a new lens. It’s not just about producing coffee—it’s about sharing a story rooted in love, family, and the power of doing things right.