Choosing the Best Bottles, Containers & Caps for Packaging Kombucha 
Kombucha, a popular fermented tea known for its tangy taste and health benefits, has taken the beverage industry by storm. However, packaging this fizzy drink can be a challenge. Kombucha undergoes fermentation in the bottle, which can create pressure inside, potentially causing the bottle to burst if not properly designed. Finding the right packaging solution is crucial to ensuring your kombucha stays fresh, safe, and ready for distribution. At TricorBraun, we offer a range of packaging options that will help you deliver your product with confidence.
Materials Matter: Why Food Grade Glass is the Best Option
When it comes to packaging kombucha, the material of the bottle is just as important as its design. Food grade glass is a top choice for kombucha packaging due to its non-reactive nature, which ensures that the drink maintains its flavor and quality over time. Unlike plastic, glass doesn’t absorb odors or leach chemicals into the beverage, which could affect the taste. Additionally, food grade glass is strong and durable, making it an excellent choice for withstanding the pressure that kombucha fermentation generates inside the bottle.
Glass bottles also offer a premium, eco-friendly packaging option that aligns with the sustainable ethos many kombucha brands aim to embody. For products that need to maintain high quality and shelf appeal, food grade glass is the preferred material.
Choosing a Bottle
When selecting a bottle for your kombucha, you have several great options depending on your brand's style, budget, and functionality requirements. Below are a few bottle styles that TricorBraun offers for kombucha packaging, each with unique features to meet your needs.
Image: Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez
Stout Bottles
Stout bottles are ideal for kombucha that needs to withstand the pressure of fermentation. These thick, heavy bottles are designed with a solid base and sturdy walls, making them highly resistant to cracking or bursting. The larger capacity of stout bottles also makes them perfect for customers looking for a generous serving of kombucha. Their robust construction and sleek appearance make them a great choice for both large-scale production and small-batch, artisanal kombucha.
Flip-Top/Grolsch Bottles
Flip-top bottles, often referred to as Grolsch bottles, are an excellent option for kombucha due to their airtight seal. These bottles come with a swing top cap that creates a secure seal, preventing the buildup of excess carbonation while still allowing for a small amount of pressure release during fermentation. This type of bottle is both practical and visually appealing, making it a popular choice for craft kombucha producers.
Image: What's Gaby Cooking
Boston Round Bottles
Boston round bottles are versatile and reliable, offering a sleek, rounded design that is easy to handle and store. These bottles come in various sizes and are well-suited for kombucha, as they offer a good balance between sturdiness and aesthetic appeal. The shape of these bottles is also ideal for adding labels, helping your brand stand out on the shelf.
Aluminum Cans
Aluminum cans are a great packaging option for kombucha because they effectively preserve its freshness by protecting it from light and air, which can degrade the flavor and probiotics. Additionally, cans are lightweight, compact, and easily recyclable, offering both convenience and sustainable option for consumers.
Don’t Forget the Cap
The right cap is essential to maintaining the quality and integrity of your kombucha. A secure seal prevents contamination and ensures that the kombucha doesn’t lose its carbonation or flavor during storage and transportation. Below are a few cap options to consider when packaging your kombucha:
Swing Top Caps
Swing top caps are designed to provide an airtight seal for bottles like the flip-top/Grolsch bottles. These caps are easy to use, reusable, and provide a secure seal that allows for slight pressure release, making them ideal for kombucha fermentation. Explore TricorBraun's options.
Regular Screw-On Caps
For bottles like Boston rounds or stout bottles, regular screw-on caps, also known as continuous thread, are a practical choice. These caps ensure that your kombucha is sealed tightly, preventing leaks or contamination. Screw-on caps are available in various materials, such as metal or plastic, to suit your specific packaging needs.
Crown Caps
Crown caps are a common choice for ring-neck bottles and offer a secure, airtight seal. Often used for carbonated beverages, these caps are designed to withstand the pressure generated during fermentation, ensuring that your kombucha stays fresh and ready for consumption.
Selecting the right packaging for your kombucha is essential to ensure product quality and safety while enhancing your brand’s appeal. From choosing the right glass bottle to selecting the perfect cap, TricorBraun provides a wide range of options to meet your packaging needs. Our expert team is ready to help you customize your packaging with a design and engineering solution that will bring your brand to life.
If you’re ready to create custom packaging for your kombucha, our design and engineering team is here to help. Learn more about how we can work with you to create the perfect packaging solution by visiting our Design & Engineering Services page.
TALK TO A PACKAGING CONSULTANT
Whether you’re looking for a stock package or a groundbreaking custom design, TricorBraun’s proven process will guide your packaging decisions from napkin sketch all the way to the retail shelf.
