FAQs
About Our Coffee
What is Parainema and why does Makaro use it exclusively?
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Parainema is a specialty Arabica coffee variety developed through agricultural research in Honduras. It is celebrated in the specialty coffee world for its unusual complexity (the brightness and acidity typical of East African coffees, combined with the body and chocolate notes more common in South American origins). It is also naturally disease-resistant, making it well-suited to the high-altitude conditions of the Honduran highlands. At Makaro, we focus exclusively on Parainema because we believe the best comes from understanding one thing deeply and doing it exceptionally well.
Where is Makaro coffee grown?
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Makaro is sourced exclusively from a family-owned farm in Siguatepeque, Honduras, in the Comayagua region. The coffee is grown at approximately 1,700 meters above sea level (Strictly High Grown (SHG) grade) in volcanic highland soils rich in potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These conditions directly shape the density and flavor complexity of every bean.
What does SHG mean?
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SHG stands for Strictly High Grown, a quality classification that indicates the coffee was cultivated at 1,200 meters or higher above sea level. At high altitudes, coffee plants mature more slowly, which allows the beans to develop greater density, complexity, and depth of flavor. SHG is among the highest quality designations for Central American coffee.
What is the difference between Medium and Dark roast?
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Medium Roast (195–205°C, City Roast): A balanced cup that preserves the origin character of the Parainema bean. Expect bright citrus acidity, smooth caramel sweetness, and a lingering chocolate finish. Fragrance notes include chocolate, caramel, citrus, and red berries. Best for those who enjoy nuanced, complex coffee.
Dark Roast (215–225°C, Full City+): A bold, assertive cup with deeper chocolate intensity, dried fruit warmth, and a resonant smoky finish. Red berries evolve into richer, darker flavors. Best for those who prefer a strong, full-bodied coffee with a warming finish. Both roasts are made from the same single-origin Parainema beans; the difference is in how the roast unlocks different characteristics of the variety.
What is the difference between Ground Coffee and Whole Bean?
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Ground Coffee is pre-ground and ready to brew, convenient for drip coffee makers, pour-over, and French press. Whole Bean Coffee is shipped as intact roasted beans, which you grind yourself just before brewing. Grinding fresh preserves more of the volatile aromatic compounds that give specialty coffee its complexity. If you have a grinder, whole bean will generally produce a fresher, more vibrant cup. If convenience is a priority, our ground coffee is ground to a versatile medium-coarse consistency that works well for most brewing methods.
What brewing methods work best with Makaro coffee?
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Makaro Parainema is versatile and works beautifully across most brewing methods. For the Medium Roast, we recommend pour-over, drip, or Aeropress to highlight the citrus brightness and caramel notes. For the Dark Roast, French press, espresso, or Moka pot complement the deeper chocolate and smoky characteristics. Both roasts work well for cold brew; the result is especially smooth and chocolatey.
Is Makaro coffee organic?
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Makaro coffee is grown using natural, clean cultivation practices in volcanic highland soils. Parainema is a naturally disease-resistant variety, which minimizes the need for chemical intervention. While our coffee is not currently USDA Organic certified, we are committed to clean growing practices and transparency about how our coffee is produced. We will update our customers if certification is pursued in the future.
How much caffeine is in Makaro coffee?
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A standard serving of Makaro coffee (1 scoop / 2 tablespoons / 7g of ground coffee, brewed as one cup) contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine. This is consistent with standard specialty Arabica coffee. Caffeine content can vary slightly depending on brew method, water temperature, and steeping time.
Orders & Purchasing
How do I place an order?
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You can order Makaro Coffee directly through our website at www.cafemakaro.com. Simply select the product, size (1 lb for any customer or 5 lb for wholesale members), and roast level (Medium or Dark), then add to your cart and proceed to checkout.
We also sell on Amazon: search "Makaro" to find our Amazon store.
Can I order Makaro on Amazon?
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Yes. Makaro Coffee is available on Amazon. You can find our full product catalog on our Amazon store page by searching "Makaro."
Orders placed on Amazon are fulfilled by the same fulfillment partner and shipped from the same location as orders placed on our website.
What payment methods do you accept?
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We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) as well as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay through our secure checkout. All transactions are encrypted with SSL technology.
Can I change or cancel my order after placing it?
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We process and dispatch orders within 1 to 2 business days, so there is a limited window for changes or cancellations. If you need to modify or cancel your order, please contact us immediately at info@cafemakaro.com with your order number. We will do our best to accommodate your request before the order is dispatched, but we cannot guarantee changes once fulfillment has begun.
Do you offer gift options or gift messaging?
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At this time, we do not offer formal gift wrapping or printed gift messages through our website. However, if you are placing an order as a gift, feel free to include a note in your order comments or contact us at info@cafemakaro.com and we will do our best to accommodate a personal touch. All first orders include a complimentary Makaro gold coffee scoop and bag clip as a welcome gift.
Do you offer subscriptions?
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Yes. Makaro Coffee offers semi-monthly and monthly subscription options on all products. Subscribers pay a discounted price and receive automatic monthly delivery (no need to remember to reorder). You can manage, pause, or cancel your subscription at any time through your account. To subscribe, simply select any of the "Subscriptions" options on any product page before adding to your cart.
What is the complimentary scoop included with first orders?
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Every first Makaro order includes a complimentary polished gold stainless steel coffee scoop and bag clip. The scoop measures the perfect 2-tablespoon portion for one cup, and the integrated spring clip seals your bag to preserve freshness between brews. It is branded with the Iconika mark and designed to complement the Makaro aesthetic. Add it for free to your first order in the “add-ons” section.
Shipping & Delivery
Where do you ship from?
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All Makaro Coffee orders are roasted, packed, and shipped from Saint Charles, Missouri, USA, by our exclusive fulfillment partner Empyr Coffee. Roasting in Missouri allows us to deliver the freshest possible coffee to customers across the continental United States.
How long does shipping take?
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Orders are processed within 1 to 2 business days after purchase. Estimated delivery after dispatch: USPS Ground Advantage (2 to 5 business days). UPS Ground (1 to 5 business days). FedEx Ground (1 to 5 business days). Delivery estimates are provided by the carrier and are not guaranteed. You will receive a tracking number by email once your order has shipped.
How long does shipping take?
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Shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on your delivery address, the carrier selected, and the weight of your order. We do not currently offer a permanent free shipping threshold, but we run promotional free shipping offers from time to time. Subscribe to our email list to be notified of upcoming promotions.
Do you ship internationally?
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At this time, Makaro Coffee ships within the continental United States only. We do not currently offer international shipping.
We hope to expand to additional markets in the future. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
How do I track my order?
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Once your order is dispatched, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking number and a direct link to track your package on the carrier's website. If you do not receive a shipping confirmation within 3 business days of placing your order, please contact us at info@cafemakaro.com with your order number.
Returns, Refunds & Issues
Can I return coffee if I change my mind?
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Due to the perishable nature of food products and food safety requirements, Makaro Coffee is generally non-returnable once it has left our fulfillment facility. We encourage you to review product descriptions carefully before purchasing. If you are unsure which roast or format is right for you, please contact us before ordering; we are happy to guide you.
What if my order arrives damaged?
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If your order arrives damaged, please contact us at info@cafemakaro.com within 5 business days of delivery. Include your order number, a description of the damage, and photographs of the product, packaging, and shipping carton. We will review your claim within 1 business day and arrange a replacement or refund where appropriate.
What if I received the wrong product?
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If you received an incorrect item, please contact us at info@cafemakaro.com within 5 business days of delivery with your order number and a photo of what you received. We will arrange for the correct product to be sent to you at no additional charge.
What if my coffee tastes off or seems defective?
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If you believe your coffee has a quality defect (unusual flavor, appearance, or aroma that suggests a manufacturing or storage issue), please contact us within 5 business days of delivery. Include your order number, the lot code and roast date from the bag, a description of the issue, and photographs if possible. We take quality concerns seriously and will investigate and respond within 1 business day.
How long do refunds take to process?
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Refunds approved by Makaro Coffee are typically processed within 5 to 10 business days and returned to the original payment method used at checkout. Processing time may vary depending on your bank or card provider.
Freshness & Storage
How long does Makaro coffee stay fresh?
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For best quality: Unopened bags are best consumed within 4 to 6 months of the roast date printed on the bag. Once opened, coffee is best within 6 weeks. For peak flavor complexity, we recommend consuming within 3 to 4 weeks of opening. The roast date is printed on every bag so you always know when your coffee was roasted.
How should I store my coffee?
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Store your Makaro coffee in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. The resealable flat-bottom bag with one-way degassing valve is designed to help preserve freshness between uses. Always press the air out and reseal the bag firmly after each serving. Avoid storing coffee near the stove, dishwasher, or any source of heat or steam.
Should I refrigerate or freeze my coffee?
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We do not recommend refrigerating or freezing your coffee for day-to-day use. Refrigerators and freezers introduce moisture, and coffee easily absorbs surrounding odors. If you have purchased a 5 lb bag and do not plan to use it all within 4 to 6 weeks, you may freeze a portion in an airtight, odor-neutral container, but allow it to return to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation on the beans.
What does the degassing valve on the bag do?
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Freshly roasted coffee releases carbon dioxide for days after roasting (a natural process called degassing). The one-way valve on your Makaro bag allows CO2 to escape without letting oxygen in. This keeps your coffee fresher for longer without the bag inflating or bursting. Do not puncture or remove the valve, and always reseal the bag after each use.
About Makaro & Iconika
Who is behind Makaro Coffee?
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Makaro is a brand of Iconika LLC, a women-owned, family-led business founded with a passion for sharing the best of Honduras with the world. The coffee is sourced from a family farm in Siguatepeque, Honduras, a tribute to our mothers, our aunts, and the generations of women who have dedicated their lives to cultivating something extraordinary in the Honduran highlands. Makaro is part of the Iconika Group family of brands.
Is Makaro a women-owned business?
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Yes. Makaro Coffee is owned and operated by women through Iconika LLC. We are proud to be part of a growing movement of women leading in the specialty coffee industry (from the farm to the brand, from production to your door). Every purchase supports a women-led family business committed to quality, transparency, and making a positive impact on the communities in our supply chain.
Is the coffee fair trade?
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Makaro operates on a direct-trade model, sourcing exclusively from a family-owned farm in Siguatepeque, Honduras. Direct trade means we maintain a direct relationship with our farming partners, paying above-market prices and investing in a long-term, trust-based partnership. While Makaro is not currently certified Fair Trade (which is a third-party certification), our direct-trade approach reflects the same values: fair compensation, transparency, and shared prosperity.
Do you offer wholesale or bulk purchasing?
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Yes, we welcome wholesale and bulk inquiries. The 5 lb bags are our most popular format for wholesale customers (members-only product, cafes, and offices. For pricing, availability, and terms, please contact us at info@cafemakaro.com with the subject line "Wholesale Inquiry" and we will get back to you within 2 business days.
Where can I follow Makaro on social media?
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You can find Makaro Coffee on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms. Visit cafemakaro.com for links to all our social channels. We share brewing tips, origin stories, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive promotions with our community. Follow us to stay connected.
Still have a question? We're here to help.
Email: info@cafemakaro.com
Website: www.cafemakaro.com
We respond within 24 to 48 hours on business days.
FAQ (Makaro, Iconika LLC). Effective 2026.