Kombucha Packaging

As the demand for kombucha and other fermented beverages continues to grow, more makers are taking the leap to producing it for retail and wholesale. It is important to understand how these live products behave when choosing your kombucha packaging components, storage and how your product will get to your customers. In this post, we will address the live nature of kombucha and share tips on safety and feature some of the popular glass options for bottling kombucha.

It’s Alive!

This is sometimes overlooked when considering the impact on bottling, storing, shipping and getting it into the hands of your customers. In some cases, your customers may benefit from being reminded about the live nature of your product and what that may mean when it comes to how they handle it upon purchasing and that impact on the consistency and their enjoyment of your product. As a producer, you want your customers to enjoy your product at it’s best- which in the case of live products like kombucha means great taste, but also that it remains in a safe state, and not at risk of explosion because of additional fermentation.

Monitor Carbonation & Fermentation

Kombucha continues to carbonate after bottling. If you choose to hold it at room temperature for a short time for additional carbonation, be sure that you have done the proper testing prior so that you can accurately determine the safe temperature/time for this. Be aware of the impact of additional sugar sources and temperature on your kombucha formulation. The Kombucha Code of Practice outlines processes & procedures and is an insightful resource for those wishing to make & bottle kombucha on a larger scale.

Refrigeration

Sufficient refrigeration is crucial for safe storage of finished kombucha. Refrigeration slows fermentation but do not stop it. Even during proper refrigeration, fermentation will continue, resulting in sugar reduction and an increase in carbonation and pressure inside your jar. It is important to have tested and established parameters of temperatures and expiration dates to avoid unsafe pressure in your glass container, and to ensure the taste of your product. If proper testing isn’t performed, or if parameters aren’t met, your product could become a liability to you.

Distributors & Retailers

Be sure that you, your distributor(s) and retailer(s) share full transparency and understanding of refrigeration requirements and sell by/best by/expiration dates. The Kombucha Code of Practice recommends unpasteurized kombucha be stored between 40°F – 48°F throughout the supply chain.

Educate your Customers

In addition to assuring your labeling meets all of the FDA requirements and ethics standards for your product, it should also have a clear statement of refrigeration requirements for that end customer; such as “Keep Refrigerated” or “Store Refrigerated”. You might choose to have addition information of interest as part of your marketing that identifies the live nature of your product and the relevance/importance of refrigeration, risk of breakage if left out of refrigeration or if not consumed by a certain date.

Popular Kombucha Bottles

A crucial part of your packaging choice is recognizing the characteristics of your product and understanding how the packaging components may interact with it. Each bottle has a particular finish- how the mouth of the jar is designed and the particulars of compatible lid(s). Not all lid styles are available in all sizes, so it important to determine if the chemistry/or other characteristics of your product will limit the type of lid(s) best suited for your project. Our Guide to Liners in Lids & Caps and post on When is a plastic lid the better choice? will provide some guidance. If you still have questions, or want further clarifications, please give our customer service team a call. The more information you are willing to share about your product and its process, the better assistance they are able to provide.

Stout bottles have become favorites for bottles many liquid products, but particularly kombucha. Most sizes are available in both CT and Lug versions, but the design with the Tamper-Evident/ Breakaway finish is only available in the 16oz. There are several different liners represented in the compatible lids for the other CT jars. While kombucha makers have used pretty much every style, you may have a preference depending on the pH of your final product, whether or not it’s being shipped, or if you have total control over the product until it reaches the hands of your consumer. Since kombucha is a refrigerated product, makers tend to lean toward the plastic lids to avoid possible rust that can appear in the curl of the metal lids as a result of the moisture during refrigeration. The breakaway caps are designed to hold up to 3.5 volumes of CO₂ pressure and do not require heat shrink bands.

Boston Round Bottles are also a popular choice for kombucha brewers. As they are available in amber glass, they offer some UV protection and bring a certain vibe to the product. Compatible plastic lids, metal lids and heat shrink bands can be found in the “accessories” tab.

Growlers & Growlettes are a preferred packaging for those offering larger volumes, refills or for locations with Kegerator stations. We carry them in clear and in amber. Get additional lids so that you always have some on hand.