Scholle IPN gears up for nitro cold coffee trend with range of aseptic packaging solutions

30 Nov 2018 --- Bag-in-box and pouch packaging supplier Scholle IPN is adapting and evolving its aseptic packaging solutions for the growing nitro cold brew coffee trend. Nitro coffee was originally offered in kegs and is now transitioning to bag-in-box. With solutions like the 1900 Cap Bag-in-Box Package, Scholle IPN is well-positioned to offer customers from major coffee producers to small coffee shops a range of nitro cold brew products, including specialized connectors, bags with the correct fitment, or filling equipment for those bags.

The cold brew coffee trend has largely been attributed to Millennials’ love of cold coffee. Shelf-stable packaging means more convenience for consumers. “Many people who work in cold brew coffee are noticing that shelf-stable forms of cold brew are being highly requested by consumers,” says Erica Rios, Packaging Applications Engineer, Scholle IPN.

“Whether you want single servings or a multi-serving package, you’re able to bring it easily anywhere you want to go,” says Austin. “You can take a three or five-liter box of cold brew coffee to a job site or office and get multiple servings out of the same package. Or you could bring a pouch of coffee in your lunch box, on a hike, or on a trip to the beach. Wherever you go, you can get that flavor experience from the coffee brand that you trust,” adds Rios.

Aseptic solutions
Aseptic processing, one of Scholle IPN’s specialties, is an ideal solution for meeting this demand for shelf-stable, cold brew products, without sacrificing taste or quality. The aseptic process is a method to sterilize the product before putting it into a similarly sterile container, resulting in a safe, ready-to-drink, shelf-stable product.

“Many don’t realize that coffee is a low-acid product,” explains Randy Austin, Director of Product Line Management, Scholle IPN. “From a food safety standpoint, it should either be refrigerated or processed. Microbes can grow in coffee and tea that are just left sitting out, and this could make you sick.” Since aseptic requires less heat than other forms of processing (such as hot-fill or retort), “you don’t have to overheat the coffee, and that ensures you’re able to keep the flavor you intended,” Austin says. “This allows you to have that fresh-brewed taste without over-processing the product.”

“We pride ourselves on our aseptic capabilities,” says Austin. Scholle IPN regards itself as a pioneer in aseptic processing and filling, and the award-winning CleanPouch Aseptic is currently the only aseptic, pre-made, spouted pouch on the market, according to the supplier.

Vending, self-serve and draft
Scholle IPN notes that increasing numbers of customers are seeking ways to provide cold brew office coffee services, such as coffee dispensing equipment and vending machines, in the workplace, in addition to micro-markets such as convenience stores.

“Vending is one option – a lower-cost option. Self-serve is another option,” continues Austin. “You can drop by your local coffee shop, grab a bag-in-box to go, and bring that to the office and serve many people with it.”

“Draft is another option – more expensive, but it’s the best tasting. For innovative office environments, you could have cold brew on draft, adding carbonated nitrogen to their coffee so it’s like a Guinness-type cold brew,” he adds.

In addition to the 1900 Cap Bag-in-Box Package and a range of specialized connectors, bags with the correct fitment and filling equipment like a catering option. And end users can just recycle the package when they’re done,” Austin concludes.

Edited by Joshua Poole