How To Open Plastic Packaging for Coffee the Right Way!

Coffee bags are sealed and clasped properly and securely, and because of their on-shelf life, they ensure coffee integrity. They need to stay this way until a consumer uses the coffee. Unfortunately, they can be tricky for many who aren’t used to different packing and sealing styles.

Therefore, you need the right technique to properly open them so as not to destroy your coffee’s freshness and aroma. So, if you are also searching for how to open plastic packaging for coffee bags, this article is your answer. Let’s discuss and follow the simple instructions.

The Importance of Properly Opening Coffee Bags

Let’s go through a few key points: why should you learn how to open coffee bags properly?

• The more careful you are in preserving and opening the coffee bag, the longer you can keep the aroma intact and its contents fresh.
• Coffee beans easily interact with oxygen, losing flavor quickly.
• The more air, moisture, or sunlight interacts with the coffee beans, the faster they lose their taste and texture.

How to Open Different Types of Coffee Bags

Let’s discuss 5 of the most common coffee bag types and follow the steps to open them properly.

Tin Ties Coffee Bags

You can most commonly find them for specialty coffee bags, and they are considered classic because of the tin tie at the top. To make it more secure, they can also be taped securely after folding them at the top.

This way, you can open these types of bags:

1. Carefully peel the tape off with a gentle pull. You don’t want the package to tear, so do it slowly, depending on the strength of the tape.
2. Now it’s time to unfold the tin tie, which is folded on each side, taking little effort to unfold.
3. Now, use scissors to cut the top. Ensure ample distance above the tie area to allow you to close it later. Opening too close can cause some coffee to fall out.

Resealable Zipper Style Coffee Bags

They are one of the most popular features of the modern coffee bags. The different kind of zippers and their quality allow for easier resealing after each opening and use. Here is how you can open these types of coffee bags.

1. Most coffee bags will have a marker, indicator, or even a notch where you can start.
2. Gently use your fingers to pull this zipper and tear it open. Don’t pull too hard, as you might tear the bag, thus preventing later easy closing.
3. Press the bag when you want to close it to let out any air, and start pressing from one side to close the zipper completely.

Clip-on Coffee Bags

Some companies use clip-ons to close after you open them. Most coffee bags can be closed with a clip-on, but these come with them for easy access. Here is how you can open and preserve them.

1. Look for the clip at the top of the bag. You need to either click it open or slide it off the top seal. Keep in mind that you should be gentle with the slide and squeeze and aren’t too hard.
2. Once you have removed this clip, you can open the edges using your fingers to pry it open. Be careful the first time, as the glue can be strong.
3. Once you have taken out a scoop or two of the coffee, press the edges or sides together firmly. Next, slide the clip on the top again.

Coffee Bags that Come with Tear Notches

There are many kinds of laminated coffee bags that come with tear notches. These bags can be used for different coffee structure types. Let’s see the easy-to-follow steps for these bag types.

1. Look for tear notches, typically found on the top and both sides.
2. Twist the tear notch from one side towards the opposite side. Please do it gently so the opening can be even. Too fast, it can go in any direction, leaving little space for resealing.
3. Once you use it, you need to close it back to keep it fresh. Typically, these bags have a zipper, so use that; otherwise, use a clip to keep it closed. Make sure you roll down the top like a flap to secure it.

Sealed Bags with Valve

Coffee bags come with a valve that has recently been ground or brewed. These valves help the degassing process go smoothly while keeping the coffee fresh. Please follow these steps to take care of that.

1. Tear the top using the notches, same as other methods.
2. Open the bag, take out the coffee, and close it based on whether it has a zipper, a clip-on, or no zipper.
3. Please don’t tamper with the valve at all, and put something to close the valve on it.

Small Sachets and Pouches

You typically find these coffee pouches inside boxes that are meant for single use only or for instant coffee. You don’t have to use it all in a single go if you don’t want to. Still, this is how you should deal with their opening and closing.

1. Most come with a tear notch or an indication/marking where you can tear it. Slowly tear it with a little opening if you plan to reuse it.
2. If you want to use it now, pour it out so it doesn’t come in contact with moisture.

FAQs

How To Reseal Plastic Packaging For Coffee?

Check which sealing method comes with the coffee bag. Does it have a zipper, tie, clip, or nothing? Regarding the sealing feature, you have to follow different steps, as mentioned in detail above.

Is Plastic Packaging Recyclable For Coffee Bags?

Yes, if they are made of renewable materials, mono-material plastic, or plastic layers, but without lamination. Laminations and liquid contaminations are the worst, as they make it extremely difficult to do recycling.

Can We Use a Fridge for Coffee Bag Storage?

No, it is not recommended to store a coffee bag in a refrigerator. The reason behind this is that due to cool temperatures, there is a higher chance of condensation happening. Moisture can make the coffee go stale very fast, so ensure to keep it outside but in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

Final Words

The first time you open a coffee bag, the smell and fresh aroma can be intoxicating. It feels like heaven for coffee lovers. But if you are not careful with the way you close and keep it sealed, you can lose that amazing aroma. That’s why it is important to ensure learning how to open plastic packaging, along with proper methods to keep these bags open and closed.