For centuries, tea has been an integral part of culture in the United Kingdom.

As Britain’s number one beverage, there is much meticulous preparation that goes into the entire brewing and drinking experience. The trend has caught on in other parts of the world as consumers are actively seeking out healthier, organic beverages. However, because of this increased desire to cut out additives and harmful ingredients, consumers are removing an important part of the tea-drinking way of life, potentially damaging the entire industry.

The sale of sweet biscuits – often considered a standard addition to tea drinking in the UK – has fallen over the last year, resulting in a decline of tea sales as well. Consumers are increasingly reducing their sugar intake, and new government regulations are pressuring food and beverage companies to cut down the amount of added sugar in their recipes as well. Because of this plunge in sales of sweet biscuits, it’s important for brands to use packaging to communicate the healthful benefits of the drink to consumers and remind them that there are plenty of alternatives to sweet snacks that can be incorporated into the tea-drinking experience.

Green tea, along with fruit and herbal varieties, appeal to health-conscious consumers and should be enveloped in tea packaging that coincides with the immune and mood-enhancing qualities of the leaves.

Stand up pouches are widely used to effectively package herbal and organic loose-leaf teas because they lend to a longer shelf life while keeping the leaves fresh and well protected from outside light, moisture, odor, vapor, and oxygen.

Tea enthusiasts focus their attention on the details of brewing the best possible cup, and loose-leaf tea is undoubtedly the preferred choice over small, porous bags. Because of this, tea companies can’t rely on those flimsy cardboard boxes to package all types of tea. Metal or glass containers are bulky and expensive, which is why stand up pouches make the perfect tea packaging solution. They’re lightweight, extremely durable, and they stand up well to outside elements.

Health-conscious consumers are concerned not only with the artificial or harmful ingredients companies are adding to their food and drinks, but also how packaging could potentially contaminate the product inside.

Stand up pouches are made up of laminated layers of food-grade, FDA-approved barrier film that hold up well to the oils that rub off on tea and do not jeopardize the flavor or quality of the product. This type of tea packaging is 100 percent recyclable and seals in the aromatic properties of the leaves with a re-closable seal that keeps air out.

Brands can easily boost tea sales by using stand up pouches to convey the desirable qualities of the leaves to consumers.

This tea packaging solution is eye-catching, lends well to bold graphics and text, and it is ushering in a new era of artisanal tea and related beverages. Packaging has the ability to make or break consumers’ perception of a product, which is why choosing stand up pouches for tea packaging is so important. It communicates a tremendous amount of information about the product within seconds. Leading coffee and tea companies are switching to flexible retail packaging all across the globe because they know it’s the best choice for keeping their leaves and grounds fresh, protected, and presented in the best possible light.