1. Shelf Life with Non-Aluminum Barriers
Packaging without aluminum doesn't seal in freshness as well as aluminum-lined bags. These materials let more oxygen, moisture, and light in—which means the coffee starts losing flavor faster. Typical Shelf Life:- Unlined or basic paper bags: A few days to a couple of weeks.
- Non-foil multi-layer bags (plastic or kraft): Around 1 to 3 months.
- High-barrier plastic blends (without aluminum): Up to 6–12 months, depending on storage.
Photo credit: The Breaks Coffee Roasting Co.
2. Shelf Life in Resealable Pouches
A resealable zipper or closure lets your customer enjoy the coffee over time without sacrificing too much freshness—if it’s a quality seal. Benefits of Resealable Bags:- Maintains aroma after first opening
- Reduces exposure to air with each reseal
- Ideal for daily-use bags
- Unopened: Similar to the main barrier material (can be up to 12 months).
- After opening: Best enjoyed within 2–4 weeks to get peak flavor.
Photo credit: The Breaks Coffee Roasting Co.
3. Shelf Life Without a Degassing Valve
Fresh-roasted coffee releases CO₂. If the packaging doesn’t have a way to let that gas escape, problems start. Without a degassing valve:- Bags can puff up or burst from gas buildup.
- Flavor can suffer due to internal pressure.
- Coffee can age unevenly.
- CO₂ escapes, oxygen stays out.
- Keeps the roast stable and shelf life longer.
Photo credit: The Breaks Coffee Roasting Co.
Sustainability Still Matters
Longer shelf life doesn’t mean ignoring the environment. Compostable materials and upcycling programs are becoming more common, even with barrier bags. Just make sure your eco-friendly packaging doesn’t trade off freshness.
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