Although you wouldn’t normally think so, coffee can be a really tricky thing to package. In the past, metal cans have worked well enough, but roasters had to allow extra time to let the coffee air out and de-gas before they could seal the can. This is because metal does not enable the release of carbon dioxide, which is given off by freshly roasted coffee beans and, if not properly vented, can severely affect the flavor of the coffee.
In search of an alternative, roasters also looked to paper bags. These enable the coffee to de-gas, but they also expose the coffee to additional light and air, which can cause additional loss of freshness and aroma.
Coffee packaging manufacturers heard the call of the roasters’ frustration and developed a flexible packaging method that answers both of these issues. Stand up pouches use high-barrier laminates that prevent exposure to freshness-depleting light and air, but also feature a built-in valve which enables the release of the carbon dioxide emitted by freshly roasted coffee beans. As a result, you have coffee beans that stay fresher for a longer period of time.
Stand up pouches also have myriad additional benefits that are both utilitarian and cosmetic. For example, the pouches are constructed using a blend of polypropylene and aluminum. Polypropylene, a type of plastic, is a dream come true for manufacturers whose products, brands or logos contain bright and numerous colors. The unique plastic can be imprinted with virtually any color or design, meaning the options are limitless for marketers and graphic designers hungry to exercise their creative muscles.
Unlike coffee cans, the pouches also have the added benefit of being flexible when it comes to merchandising. While coffee cans are only displayed on a shelf, pouches can be shelved or you can equip them with a die-cut hole for use in a peg display. And unlike paper bags, which can break or tear easily, stand up pouches are incredibly durable and resistant to damage.
Consumers also flock to stand up pouches because of the many added conveniences they feature. For example, pouches can be equipped with a built-in zipper seal, which means any leftover contents can be safely sealed and stored right within the package. The seal is more air-tight than those on both cans and paper bags, so even an opened package will retain its flavor and freshness longer.