Coffee is much more than just a drink – it is a sensory experience that begins the moment you open the bag. To ensure that each cup offers exceptional freshness and aroma, coffee packaging is essential. In this guide, we will explore the different characteristics and materials used to protect and package coffee.
1. Why it is important to protect your coffee
Before delving into the packaging solutions in detail, it is essential to understand why protecting and packaging coffee is so crucial. Indeed, several factors can alter the quality of coffee, including oxidation, humidity, light, and even oxygen. Without adequate protection, coffee can quickly lose its taste and aroma, thus compromising the consumers’ tasting experience.
2. Protecting your coffee against oxidation
Aluminium packaging bag
Oxidation is the number one enemy of coffee freshness. To prevent oxygen from deteriorating the quality of your product, investing in packaging with protective barriers is essential. Multi-layer packaging, combining aluminium, plastic, and barrier materials, offers maximum protection against oxidation, thus preserving the aroma and freshness of coffee for an extended period.
Degassing valve for coffee
After roasting, coffee beans release carbon dioxide. This phenomenon can lead to high pressure in the packaging. In the worst-case scenario, the packaging can be damaged. This is why coffee bean bags must be equipped with a degassing valve. Degassing valves allow the gases emitted by freshly roasted coffee to escape while preventing oxygen from entering.
This packaging system allows consumers to fully enjoy the aromas of the coffee. At ePac France, we offer coffee bags with degassing valves.
3. Protecting your coffee against humidity
Vacuum packaging is one of the most effective techniques for preserving the freshness of coffee. By eliminating oxygen from the packaging, the roasting process is slowed down, allowing the coffee’s aromas to be preserved for longer. Vacuum packaging also offers protection against moisture, light, and external odours, thus preserving the integrity of the product.
4. Protecting your coffee from heat and UV rays
Your coffee deserves a special place on the shelves, that’s undeniable. However, it is important to be wary of UV rays, the natural enemies of its aroma! Here is what you can do to prevent your coffee from becoming bitter.
Packaging with high UV barrier
To protect your coffee packaging from UV rays, it is important to choose packaging with a barrier. Recent advances in the packaging field have led to innovative solutions equipped with this specific barrier, the metallised film, a film applied inside the packaging to ensure the protection of the coffee. ePac offers packaging with an integrated UV barrier. For additional advice on selecting the right flexible packaging supplier, see our article “10 questions to ask when choosing your flexible packaging supplier”.
Pouch with zip closure
To meet the growing demands for freshness preservation, the coffee industry has seen the emergence of new packaging options. Zip packaging allows consumers to reseal the bag hermetically after each use, thus preventing air, moisture, and external contaminants from altering the quality of the coffee.
5. Additional protective measures
Besides choosing the appropriate packaging, it is important to take other measures to ensure the protection of the coffee throughout the supply chain. Here are some elements to consider.
- Temperature and humidity control:
Coffee is sensitive to temperature variations and humidity, which can affect its quality. By carefully controlling these environmental conditions throughout the storage and transport process, it is possible to minimise the risks of deterioration. - Inventory management:
Effective stock rotation can help ensure that the coffee is always fresh and that older products do not remain on the shelves for too long. By closely monitoring stock levels and ensuring that the oldest products are sold first, companies can reduce losses. - Staff training:
Staff responsible for handling the coffee must be properly trained to ensure it is handled and stored correctly to preserve its quality.
The choice of packaging directly influences the freshness and quality of your coffee. To discover how to adapt your packaging to your product and market, consult our guide to choosing the ideal packaging.
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