Discover why flexible pouches, spouted or not, are the best packaging for cold brew coffee. Sustainable, lightweight, and consumer-friendly.
The rise of cold brew coffee
Cold brew coffee is one of the fastest-growing trends in the beverage industry, offering a smooth, naturally sweet, and low-acid alternative to traditional hot-brewed coffee. Unlike iced coffee, which is brewed hot and then chilled, cold brew is steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, extracting deep flavors while reducing bitterness.
The cold brew coffee market is expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 20%, driven by consumer demand for convenience, quality, and sustainability. Key demographics fueling this expansion include:
- Millennials & Gen Z, who seek premium, on-the-go beverage options.
- Health-conscious consumers, drawn to cold brew’s smooth taste and lower acidity.
- Busy professionals, preferring ready-to-drink (RTD) cold brew coffee in convenient formats.
- Specialty coffee enthusiasts, who value high-quality ingredients and innovative packaging solutions.
Originally booming in the U.S., with major players like Starbucks and Dunkin’ dominating the market, cold brew coffee is now experiencing strong growth in Europe, particularly in the UK, Germany, and Scandinavia, and across Asia-Pacific, in Japan, South Korea, and China, where specialty coffee culture is on the rise. Major Italian brands like Lavazza and Illy are also entering the ready-to-drink segment, further expanding market potential.
As demand grows, coffee brands must adopt innovative cold brew coffee packaging solutions that align with consumer preferences and industry trends while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability. Stricter regulations and the push for eco-friendly materials make sustainable packaging a key competitive advantage.
Comparing cold brew coffee packaging options
Selecting the right cold brew coffee packaging is essential for maintaining product freshness, ensuring consumer convenience, and meeting sustainability goals. Among the most common options for ready-to-drink cold brew coffee, each comes with its own advantages and challenges:
- Aluminum Cans – Medium-weight and recyclable, widely used in the market.
- Glass Bottles – Offer a premium look and are fully recyclable, but they are heavy, fragile, and expensive to transport.
- Plastic Bottles (PET) – Cost-effective and commonly used, but they lack a premium feel and can be bulky.
- Flexible Pouches – a new, more efficient solution is emerging, which offers freshness, sustainability, and convenience in a single format.
Why flexible pouches are the cold brew packaging you didn’t expect
Whether for ready-to-drink (RTD) cold brew or cold brew concentrate, flexible packaging is emerging as the optimal choice for coffee producers seeking sustainability, efficiency, and convenience.
Compared to traditional rigid packaging like cans and bottles, flexible pouches offer numerous benefits:
-
Lightweight construction, significantly reducing logistics and e-commerce space requirements.
-
Lower carbon footprint, as well as reduced shipping and storage costs.
-
High packaging-to-product ratio, minimizing material waste and supporting eco-conscious supply chains.
-
Spouted design, facilitating on-the-go consumption.
-
Versatile filling options, including Cold Fill, Hot Fill (with pasteurization), and Retort, supporting High-Pressure Pasteurization (HPP).
-
Customizable design and shape, allowing for uniquely shaped pouches that enhance brand identity and marketing impact.
As a leader in flexible packaging, Gualapack offers a wide range of spouted and non-spouted pouches, including fully recyclable monomaterial PP options, helping cold brew producers achieve their sustainability goals.
Spouted Pouches for Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Cold Brew
RTD cold brew is pre-diluted and ready for consumption, requiring packaging that preserves freshness while ensuring portability and resealability. Traditionally packaged in cans or bottles, spouted pouches in compact formats (starting from 70ml) are gaining traction as a highly effective alternative. Their lightweight design, reduced environmental impact, and spill-proof functionality make them an ideal solution for on-the-go consumption.
Pouches for Cold Brew Concentrate
Cold brew concentrate requires dilution with water, milk, or plant-based alternatives before consumption. While traditionally sold in bottles or bag-in-box formats, flexible pouches are becoming an increasingly attractive choice due to their versatility, storage efficiency, and significantly lower carbon footprint.
Monomaterial pouches for sustainability advantage
A major shift in coffee packaging trends is the move toward monomaterial coffee pouches, designed to be fully recyclable while maintaining product integrity. By reducing plastic usage and optimizing transportation efficiency, brands can meet eco-conscious consumer demands while lowering packaging costs. Gualapack’s monomaterial pouches, made of PP, provide an innovative, high-performance solution for environmentally responsible coffee brands.
Easysnap’s innovation: single-dose cold brew coffee packaging
Easysnap Technology, part of the Gualapack Group, introduces a patented single-dose cold brew coffee packaging solution, designed for ultimate convenience and sustainability. This innovative format features a one-hand opening mechanism, offering a hassle-free, on-the-go coffee experience. Each precisely measured single-dose pack contains cold brew concentrate, ready to be diluted with water for a consistently fresh experience. Easysnap will be present at Specialty Coffee Expo will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas from April 25 to 27, 2025.
Embrace the future of cold brew packaging with flexible solutions
As the cold brew coffee market continues to grow, brands must embrace innovation to meet evolving consumer demands for sustainability, convenience, and quality. Flexible packaging—including spouted and monomaterial pouches—provides the ideal solution for both ready-to-drink cold brew and concentrates, ensuring freshness, practicality, and a reduced environmental impact.
By choosing Gualapack’s cutting-edge flexible packaging solutions, coffee brands can deliver a premium cold brew experience while staying ahead in a competitive, fast-changing market.
Ready to elevate your cold brew packaging? Contact us today to explore the best pouch solutions for your brand.
