What are the best packaging materials for biodegradable cold brew coffee bags?
Much like tea bags, biodegradable cold brew coffee bags are a cost-effective and convenient way for consumers to brew high-quality cold brew at home. The user requires only cold water and a cup or glass to steep the bag and quickly prepare a great cup of coffee.
For many shoppers, cold-brew coffee bags are a new product. While cold brew is generally enjoying significant growth, brands looking to sell cold brew bags successfully need to ensure their packaging informs, appeals to, and aligns with potential buyers’ sustainability concerns.
When designing packaging, freshness, brand appeal, and environmentally friendly materials are essential components. So how can a business deliver on all three?
We spoke to Greg Dawson, co-founder of The Egg Consultancy, to get some expert insight.
Maintaining quality and freshness
Biodegradable cold brew coffee bags are essentially tea bags whose contents are replaced with ground coffee. They help the user brew high-quality cups of cold brew coffee quickly and conveniently.
Once ground, coffee can begin to lose its flavour and aroma. Technically speaking, coffee grounds can’t spoil, become mouldy, or unsafe to consume, however, over time, the flavour will deteriorate, leaving a bland or sour drinking experience.
Exposure to the air – specifically oxygen – speeds up the oxidation of coffee oils, which is responsible for locking in that wonderful roasted flavour. Light can also have a negative effect. Known as photodegradation, exposure to light causes chemical compounds in coffee beans to break down and further degrade flavour and aroma.
Manufacturers mitigate these occurrences by packaging ground coffee in dark, airtight containers, such as biodegradable plastic pouches, bag-in-box packages, or foil-lined compostable bags. Furthermore, technology like nitrogen flushing helps extend shelf life.
For biodegradable cold brew coffee bags, it is important to design packaging – or work with a specialised manufacturer that can help – that uses the highest-quality biodegradable materials and technology to retain freshness. By packing cold brew in individual airtight sachets or pouches, your biodegradable cold brew coffee bags will last longer, and your customers will be grateful.
Putting sustainable materials to good use
Statistics show that coffee consumers, regardless of age, seek out products that use sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging materials. A 2018 report in the Journal of Cleaner Production explains further:
“The environmental benefit from sustainable packaging is not only dependent on the characteristics of the packaging but also on consumer willingness to purchase sustainably packaged products. Consumers are more positive toward redesigns following a circular design strategy (e.g. biodegradable materials) compared to linear redesigns (e.g. more lightweight packaging).
“Results showed that compared to conventional packaging (plastic) packaging, consumers respond favourably to more sustainable packaging redesigns, but particularly to biological circular improvements (i.e. biodegradable and compostable packaging).
“Such effects are shown to be mainly driven by higher perceived sustainability, which in turn was associated with greater perceived naturalness and moral satisfaction.”
By using sustainable materials – especially biodegradable plastic or paper rather than aluminium – businesses can help consumers better achieve their eco-conscious lifestyle aspirations. This is critical to future retail success; shoppers respond positively to brands that offer them convenient ways to behave more sustainably.
When considering your own line of biodegradable cold brew coffee bags, search out manufacturing partners that offer circular packaging material solutions, like white or natural kraft paper, corrugated cardboard, and plant-based LDPE and PLA plastics.
Packaging aesthetics bring it all together
Greg believes that the importance of packaging should not be underestimated.
“Sustainable packaging is essential in 2024 and will be increasingly important in the coming years,” he says.
“Consumers are increasingly looking for recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable options and prefer brands that take responsibility for their packaging’s environmental impact. Transparency in sustainability can also help build brand loyalty, and brands need to recognise this more.
“Performance is critical for consumers to accept sustainable alternatives – brands need to understand that there is often an oncost for a truly sustainable product and must make allowances for this in their financial budgeting.”
When prompted on the importance of brand aesthetic, Greg says:
“Packaging is no longer just functional or decorative – it’s a key part of a brand’s identity. It showcases values like sustainability, innovation, and increasing customer demand for newness.
“As consumers increasingly prioritise ethics and transparency, packaging has evolved into a powerful tool for differentiation and creating great first impressions.”
When designing your biodegradable cold brew coffee bags or any other coffee product, a combination of quality, convenience, sustainability, and brand appeal is essential. Modern businesses cannot afford to focus on one aspect at the expense of another – today’s shoppers are too informed and discerning.
At Cold Brew Pak, our packaging solutions are designed to meet consumer expectations across all fronts. Circular, sustainable, and high-quality packaging materials, novel techniques and technologies and immense customizability help our clients stand out on the shelf for the right reasons.
To learn more about our services, get in touch with the team.
Biodegradable cold brew coffee bags
