The primary role of packaging is to keep the products packed inside safe from external factors, regardless of the items. Coffee is very volatile and it cannot be packed in just any packaging box. It is important to know how coffee packaging impacts flavor and freshness before selecting the material. Read this blog to know everything about coffee packaging and ways to increase the shelf life of coffee.
Why Coffee Packaging is Important?
Coffee is very reactive and hence it needs proper packaging. Your roasted coffee, beans, or ground, needs functional packaging to ensure the original taste and smell. The primary reason for packaging is to keep the coffee away from contamination such as dust. However, there are other reasons that you should keep in mind when choosing the coffee packaging. Below are the factors impacting the taste of coffee:
Oxygen
When packing freshly roasted coffee, it is important to remember that it should not come in contact with oxygen. The oxygen reacts with coffee and eventually gives the coffee a stale taste. Choose the packaging that will keep the coffee away from oxygen.
Moisture
Your roasted coffee will start to break down once it comes in contact with humidity or moisture. This is why it is always the best idea to keep the coffee packed inside airtight containers. Moisture can destroy the original flavor of the coffee.
Light
You should always store the coffee in a cool and dry place. When coffee is exposed to light, artificial or natural, the coffee starts to lose its natural oils which results in rancidity. The loss of natural oils will impact the flavor of the coffee.
Temperature
Maintaining the right temperature for your roasted coffee is very important. Store the coffee in a cool and dry place when you have to use it within a day to avoid bacterial growth. When using within two or three days freeze it in an airtight container to maintain a regular temperature.
Two Types of Coffee Packaging
There are different materials available in the market but not every material is best suited to pack coffee. Plastic is an excellent material for keeping coffee safe, but not every type of plastic is best for packing and storing coffee. Keep in mind the factors mentioned above when ordering the coffee packaging. Here are two types of packaging that are being used for coffee packaging:
Biodegradable Bags
Sustainability is becoming a necessity rather than a fashion statement with the rise in environmental problems. Most people and brands use biodegradable bags such as kraft bags to store their freshly roasted coffee. While these bags reduce the harmful impact on the environment, they cannot keep the coffee fresh for too long.
Kraft bags allow the light to pass resulting in the staleness of the coffee. Most brands use kraft bags to store their freshly roasted coffee as it is used within a few hours and does not impact the taste or smell of the coffee. For domestic use, kraft bags are not a wise choice as it is stored for a long time and the taste can be impacted.
Recyclable Mylar Bags
Recyclability is another important factor in packaging and mylar bags can be commercially recycled after a few processes. Mylar bags are made from BoPET (biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate); a stretched (PET) polyester film offering high tensile strength. Mylar bags offer excellent characteristics to keep the coffee safe and fresh.
You can store your roasted coffee in mylar bags for a long time as it keeps the coffee safe from oxygen, light, temperature, moisture, humidity, etc. The best option is to store the coffee in small quantities in these mylar bags to keep every batch fresh when it's used. These mylar bags are perfect for commercial and domestic storage for coffee.
Important Features in Coffee Packaging
Once you have decided on the type of packaging to use for coffee, it is important to incorporate functional features in the packaging. There are different features that can assist in increasing the shelf life of coffee and keeping it fresh after it’s brewed. Some of these features include:
Valve
When coffee is freshly roasted and packed, it emits Carbon Dioxide gas. if not removed from the bag, CO? can cause the packaging to bloat or even burst. Most brands use one valve to remove the gas ensuring that the oxygen gas does not enter the bag. This type of packaging ensures the freshness of coffee for a long time.
Lining
When using biodegradable packaging such as kraft bags, it is important to use a thick layer of aluminum inside the bags. The layer ensures that the coffee stays away from factors such as changing temperature, light, and moisture. Brands often use compostable bags to reduce their carbon footprint with a layer of aluminum inside to keep the coffee fresh.
Size
Choosing the right size for the coffee determines how long your roasted coffee will be kept fresh. Packing small quantities of coffee in large bags will allow oxygen to enter, thus destroying the original flavor. Small bags will also take less space on the shelf rather than unusually large bags for your roasted coffee.
How to Increase the Shelf Life of Coffee?
There are different methods that can be used at a commercial level and domestically to keep the coffee fresh for long-term storage. These factors can improve the taste of your coffee, and as a brand, it can assist your brand in getting more customers. Here are a few factors that can help you increase the shelf life of your coffee:
Store it Separately
Coffee can absorb the smell of other spices stored with it. This is why it is a wise option to store your coffee separately in a cool and dry place. Dedicate a separate cabinet to your roasted coffee and keep an eye on the shelf to avoid pathogen growth.
Use Airtight Containers
Airtight containers will allow the coffee to stay away from the oxygen. Keep these containers in a cool and dry place to ensure your coffee smells and tastes fresh when served. When using glass containers at home for coffee storage, ensure that you are keeping them away from light.
Pack in Small Quantities
Another way to keep the coffee fresh is to store it in small quantities. This practice is best for both commercial and domestic use as it will allow people to have fresh coffee every time. Use the older batches first as they are more likely to lose their original taste sooner.
Ground Vs Coffee Beans Shelf Life
It is important to know the shelf life of whole beans and ground coffee before placing an order for a coffee package. Whole beans can stay fresh for a longer time than ground coffee. The reason is that ground coffee offers more surface area for air and other factors to react.
Whole beans can stay fresh within sealed packaging for over a year while ground coffee will stay fresh for a few months. Once the packaging is opened whole beans stay fresh for up to a month while ground coffee stays fresh for a few days.
Why Custom Coffee Packaging Matters?
Custom coffee packaging is another important factor for brands to attract more customers and stand apart from the competition in the market. Visuals play an important role in the purchasing decisions of customers. This is why as a brand you should go for custom packaging. Here are a few reasons for choosing custom coffee packaging:
Custom Styles
Custom packaging gives you the liberty to decide the styles for your coffee packaging. there are different styles that you can choose from such as gusseted pouches, vacuum-sealed bags, and
Whether you need gusseted pouches or vacuum-sealed bags, customization allows your brand to choose the style that works best for your brand.
Personalized Designs
Choose personalized designs for your coffee packaging to make your coffee packaging stand out in the market. Brands use striking designs and attractive colors in retail packaging to attract more customers. Use minimalist designs for a clean look.
Cost Effective
Custom packaging in many ways can be cost-effective. Choosing bulk packaging bags allows a brand to reduce overall costs. Most manufacturers offer free delivery that can further help your brand in saving the costs of custom coffee packaging.
Ensure Your Coffee’s Freshness with Custom Packaging
Keep in mind all the factors before choosing the coffee packaging to increase the shelf life of your coffee. Choose the right size and high-quality packaging material to keep your coffee away from bacteria, dust, moisture, light, heat, etc.
Now that you know the importance of coffee packaging, it is time to look for custom packaging styles to place an order. The Customize Boxes offers high-quality customized packaging with free design support. Contact us today for your packaging needs and get your free custom quote!
