Players involved in every process across the coffee sector work tirelessly to ensure coffee remains fresh.
This begins the moment the cherry is picked and continues through roasting and packaging until the customer takes their first sip of coffee.
Many may believe roasters have little control over a coffee’s freshness once it has left the roastery. However, there is a range of ways in which roasters can continue to preserve their coffee’s freshness after it leaves their premises.
One such solution is to invest in high-quality packaging with effective barrier protection. To further ensure coffee freshness, many roasters also fit one-way degassing valves into their coffee bags.
Discover just how much one-way degassing valves prolong the freshness of coffee.
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Sign up!How does a degassing valve work?
A degassing valve is a small device that is fitted into coffee bags.
Typically, the valves appear to have a large circular disc that contains a series of small holes.
Degassing valves act as a one-way airflow system, forcing carbon dioxide out of the bag without letting oxygen in.
They achieve this by creating a pressure imbalance between the air outside of the bag and the gases within.
Essentially, when coffee beans produce carbon dioxide, the degassing valve opens to allow this excess gas to leave the bag without damaging the packaging.
Then, when the pressure inside of the coffee bag drops to a point at which it is lower than the air outside, the valve automatically closes.
Therefore, the gases are only able to shift when the air pressure inside the bag is higher, which means the airflow system can only move in one way.
What’s more, degassing valves are designed to continue to work even after the bag has been opened.
The majority of coffee bags with degassing valves also contain an air-tight seal at the top. As long as the consumer correctly reseals the bag after each use, the valve will continue to work as it did before.
Traditional one-way degassing valves are often made from polyethylene (PE): the most widely used plastic in the world.
However, in the coffee industry’s pursuit of more sustainable packaging options, recyclable degassing valves have been developed.
Made using sustainable and biodegradable bioplastics, recyclable degassing valves have the same properties as plastics without a negative environmental impact.
They help conserve fossil fuels, reduce a roaster’s carbon footprint, and can help communicate their commitment to sustainability.
Furthermore, recyclable degassing valves allow customers to dispose of their coffee packaging with minimal confusion.
How much do one-way degassing valves prolong the freshness of coffee?
Degassing valves are specifically designed to allow gases inside coffee bags to escape without allowing oxygen to come into contact with the beans.
This is essential because once roast coffee is packaged it continues to release carbon dioxide (CO2). If the CO2 is unable to escape, it may cause the bag to expand considerably.
Without a degassing valve, there is a greater risk of the coffee bag swelling until it splits at the seams or bursts entirely. Degassing valves allow the CO2 to escape safely without exposing the beans inside to oxygen.
Coffee is sealed shortly after roasting to avoid exposure to oxygen, which causes it to oxidise and deteriorate.
If the coffee comes into contact with oxygen, its shelf life becomes reduced, its aromas are dulled, and its freshness is compromised.
One-way degassing valves help to minimise coffee’s exposure to oxygen, and in doing so, they prove a critical role in keeping roasted coffee fresher for longer.
What are the benefits of fitting degassing valves into coffee bags?
While it may only be a small item, a degassing valve offers roasters a wide range of critical benefits when fitted into coffee packaging.
Longer shelf life
Degassing valves give coffee a longer shelf life, and better preserves the freshness of the coffee. Furthermore, they help retain the coffee’s aroma and flavours so customers can enjoy it until the last cup.
Provides additional sales options
As they provide coffee with an extended shelf life, degassing valves allow roasters to explore both wholesale and retail sale options, as well as coffee subscription options.
An improved customer experience
With fresher, tastier products, roasters can increase their customer loyalty and ensure strong, positive perceptions of their brand.
Flexibility
Degassing valves can be fitted into coffee bags of all shapes and sizes. This allows roasters to include them across their entire shop range quite easily.
Improved efficiency
With coffee bags that contain degassing valves, roasters can package their product immediately after roasting. This is opposed to waiting for all the carbon dioxide to be released from the beans- which may help roasteries keep their processes as efficient as possible.
Tempting new customers
Coffee bags with degassing valves allow customers to squeeze the bag and smell the aroma of the coffee.
Beyond being a novelty, this is an effective way for customers to recognise the strength or unique attributes of the coffee’s aromas.
More so, this added sensory experience is particularly valuable in enticing first-time customers.
Helps keep packaging neat
Inflated or cracked coffee packaging can be highly off-putting for customers, as it implies the contents inside are damaged.
Degassing valves can help reduce the risk of a roaster’s coffee bags appearing warped or half-empty.
The valves can also ensure coffee packaging structures such as stand-up pouches, flat bottom bags and side gusset pouches stand up straight for display purposes.
Easier storage options
By keeping the volume of the coffee bag to its minimum, degassing valves can make it easier for the products to be packed, stored, and transported.
Reduce waste
Possibly the most important point is that degassing valves help keep waste to a minimum: a core part of sustainability.
By extending the coffee’s shelf life, roasters can reduce the amount of their product that ends up in the bin.
At MTPak Coffee, we offer roasters the option to fit their coffee bags with fully recyclable, BPA-free degassing valves, as well as traditional one-way degassing valves.
In addition to being versatile, lightweight, and affordable, our valves can be fitted to our entire range of sustainable coffee packaging options.
Roasters can choose from renewable materials such as kraft paper, rice paper, or multilayer LDPE packaging with an environmentally friendly PLA lining, all of which minimise waste and contribute to a circular economy.
More so, our entire range of coffee packaging is 100% customisable as we use innovative digital printing technology, allowing us to help you with a quick turnaround time of 40-hours and 24-hour shipping time.
