Where does the 227g coffee bag come from?

Within the specialty sector, coffee packaging has become an art form.

From the typography to the texture of the packaging materials, every detail is carefully considered to make the end result as impactful as possible. That includes the size of the coffee bag.

While the size of packaging will differ depending on the volume of coffee purchased, one of the most popular and often standard sizes for coffee bags is 227g.

So, where does this precise weight come from and how does it benefit customers?

Read on to learn about the history behind the 227g coffee bag and why it is the most popular size.

Where does the 227g coffee bag come from?

The reason a 227g bag of coffee has become the norm is actually quite understandable.

As the US uses the imperial system of measurement over the metric system, 8oz is the standard size for a coffee bag across the country. When converted to grams, 8oz equates to 227g.

Additionally, the size is ideally suited to accommodate the full range of coffee bag structures.

The most commonly used structures for 227g coffee bags include quad seal and centre fin style bags, flat bottom flexible box bags, and stand-up pouches.

These are also often fitted with other packaging features, such as degassing valves and resealable zippers to ensure the coffee remains fresh.

One reason the coffee industry has landed on the 8oz / 227g coffee bag is because of its ability to produce a convenient number of cups.

Ideally, the weight supplied would create a round number of cups of coffee. In turn, this helps to minimise the amount of product the consumer may have to discard.

That said, this is not as simple as it sounds, as each brewing method often comes with a required volume of coffee.

However, a 227g coffee bag is often able to offer consumers a round number of cups for most brew styles.

On average, a 227g bag of coffee is likely to produce:

• 32 cups of single shot espresso
• 22 cups of filter coffee
• 15 cups of cafetiere coffee
• 18 cups of percolator coffee
• 22 cups of Turkish coffee

It is important to note the amount of waste will vary depending on the machine used and the preferred coffee strength of each consumer.

Therefore, the 227g coffee has been selected as one of the most convenient and waste-free sizes to accommodate the average consumer’s drinking habits.

227g coffee bags: More convenience for customers?

When it comes to choosing the sized coffee bag, there are a number of key factors to consider.

In addition to choosing a size that limits coffee waste, roasters must consider consumer convenience.

Additionally, roasters must consider how their coffee packaging can help create the best possible experience for drinkers.

The 227g coffee bag has been widely accepted as the best-fit solution, striking an ideal balance for several reasons.

One reason is sample size. As one of the smaller options in common coffee packaging sizes, a 227g coffee bag offers a convenient amount for customers trying out a new brand.

A 227g bag is often referred to as a “sample size” as it offers consumers an affordable way to try several coffees. More so, it still presents roasters with a viable profit margin.

More so, a 227g coffee bag is more convenient, as it is ideally suited to domestic homes and kitchens. This size coffee bag fits into pantries, cabinets, and home storage containers.

Plus, it presents an easy and lightweight product for supermarkets, cafes, and other sales outlets to stock.

Coffee is a product that can boast a significantly longer shelf life than most. That said, once the packaging is open, the coffee inside will begin to oxidise. Over time, the freshness and richness of the coffee will weaken.

For the at-home consumption of an average coffee drinker, 227g is an ideal size to retain the coffee’s freshness until the bag is finished.

Additionally, the smaller size is highly convenient for shipping and distribution. The bags can be packed compactly into containers with a minimal amount of space wasted.

Lastly, a 227g bag provides the perfect balance between being small and affordable enough to tempt new customers, while being large enough to remain cost-effective for the roaster.

It would be challenging for a roaster to justify producing smaller coffee bags because of the costs involved in production, packaging, and shipping. Therefore, a 227g coffee bag offers the best of both worlds.

Alternative sizes for coffee packaging

In addition to the 227g coffee bags, the other common sizes for coffee packaging are:

•    340g (12oz)
•   454g (1lb)
•   2270g (5lb)

That said, the size of coffee packaging can be as large as 22.7 kg (50 lb), based on the intended use of the product.

It is worth noting bags over 1kg are predominantly purchased by cafes or wholesale outlets, as it is rare to find one household that consumes that volume of coffee.

It is clear the 227g coffee packaging size is particularly popular amongst consumers as it strikes the perfect balance between cost-effectiveness, convenience, and a high-quality customer experience.

More so, this size allows producers to operate in an efficient, profitable and convenient manner while giving consumers scope to explore the market in an affordable and practical way.

Therefore, MTPak Coffee provides both roasters and coffee businesses with a full range of 100% recyclable coffee packaging solutions in a variety of sizes.

Our range of coffee packaging structures includes quad seal bags, stand-up pouches, side gusset coffee bags, and more. 

Furthermore, we offer a range of customisable coffee boxes made from 100% recycled cardboard. These are ideal options for roasters who wish to test out a new design without overwhelming customers. 

Choose from renewable materials such as kraft paper, rice paper, or multilayer LDPE packaging with an environmentally friendly PLA lining.

Take control over the design process by building your own coffee bag. We use innovative digital printing technology to ensure your custom-printed coffee packaging is a perfect representative of your brand. 

We also offer a quick turnaround time of 40-hours and 24-hour shipping time, and low minimum order quantities (MOQs) to micro-roasters who are looking to remain agile while showcasing a commitment to sustainability.

For more information on which coffee bag structures and sizes are ideally suited for your business, contact our team today.