Intelligent Blends

Blog

The Growth of K-Cup® Usage During COVID-19
For many of us, our morning cup of coffee is the first thing we think about when we wake up. But sometimes, you just don’t want to go through all the effort of making coffee, you want’”and maybe even need’”to have a cup in your hands as soon as possible. And, with the invention of K-Cups® making coffee takes minimal effort.

In fact, K-Cups® are one of the easiest ways to make a cup of coffee. All it takes is a couple of minutes and you’ve got yourself a fresh and delicious cup of coffee. Did you know that there are more than 25 million Keurig and K-Cup® brewers installed in homes and offices across the U.S? It’s true, people like their coffee quick and easy in the morning. There are many benefits to using K-Cups®, but the main appeal is the ease of making a single serving of coffee without all the mess or brewing a whole pot.

Because of this, the K-Cup® industry is only bound to grow. In this post, we’ll be discussing the growth of K-Cup® usage, why single-serve coffee grew in 2021, and what the K-Cup® industry looks like now. Keep reading to learn more about why you should consider adding custom K-Cups® to your product offering.
The Growing Single-Serve Coffee Industry

The K-Cup® market is undeniably growing, but why? And specifically, why has K-Cup® usage increased so much in the last year?

People are making single-serve coffee for themselves at home now more than ever. Since the large shift to remote working, many people no longer had a reason to stop at their favorite coffee shop on the way to work and instead decided to make it themselves. And what’s the easiest way to make a cup of coffee at home? With a Keurig, of course.

Approximately 42% of American households own a Keurig, and 2021 consumption is expected to surpass 30 billion K-Cups® annually. The K-Cup® market is clearly on the rise, and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon. With this in mind, it might be a good idea to get your foot in the door now and expand your product offerings to include K-Cups®.

K-Cup® Usage Before COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic clearly had a big impact on the growth of K-Cup® usage, but let’s see how this usage compares to pre-pandemic.

Since the pandemic, at-home coffee has grown substantially as people across the country had to adjust their coffee drinking habits. According to a 2020 Sprudge survey, before the pandemic, people were drinking an average of 2.45 cups of coffee a day. Now, consumers have an average of 2.77 cups of coffee each day. That’s a 13% increase in just over a year. Coffee retail sales growth also skyrocketed during the peak of the pandemic to a whopping 29%, which is a huge increase compared to the 1% sales rate pre-pandemic at the end of 2019.

K-Cup® Usage During COVID-19

According to the Piper Sandler U.S. Coffee Industry Update from May 2020, usage has definitely increased during COVID-19. There has been a 7% increase in weekly average sales of single-serve coffee during COVID. Keurig saw a record number of sales during the pandemic. People needed their coffee quick and easy, and Keurig was there for them during those dark times by being the light at the end of the tunnel: a nice, warm cup of coffee that you can make at home in minutes.

In addition to Keurig, other brands saw this growth of K-Cup® usage and decided to create their own. For example, Starbucks and Dunkin’ had to create their own coffee pods in order to compete with Keurig’s rise.

Why Did Single-Serve Coffee Pod and Brewer Usage Increase in 2020?

The single-serve coffee market share increased in 2020 for a few reasons, including:
- More people working from home: People wanted a quick and easy way to make coffee from their own homes since it was inconvenient, or even impossible for some, to go to their favorite coffee shops. Remote working will continue to have a long-term effect on people’s daily habits, including how they make coffee.
- People are more cautious about discretionary spending: People are more aware of their spending habits and are making conscious choices to save money, such as not going out for breakfast, not buying Starbucks, etc. During the pandemic, consumers spent way more on coffee online or at stores than they did on away-from-home coffee. Consumers were less likely to drink away-from-home coffee during the pandemic, and it may continue to be a lower priority going forward, as only 35% of consumers would prioritize drinking coffee at a restaurant post-pandemic’”according to the Piper Sandler U.S. Coffee Industry Update from May 2020.
- More consumers buying coffee directly: During the pandemic, there was a huge shift to buying coffee at grocery stores so it could be made conveniently at home. According to the Piper Sandler U.S. Coffee Industry Update from May 2020, almost all packaged coffee sub-categories experienced a 20% growth over this period. Single-cup coffee retail sales increased from 1% pre-COVID to 20% during COVID.
- People are becoming more sustainability minded: The pandemic made us more aware of sustainable measures we should take, including the way we drink coffee. If you’re interested in creating your own K-Cup® pods, Intelligent Blends offers a high-quality, sustainable option to get you started. Intelligent Blends K-Cups® are certified recyclable, with 100% recyclable packaging cartons as well.
What Does the Future of the K-Cup® Industry Look Like?

The future of the K-Cup® industry is bright. The United States coffee pods and capsules market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.1% between 2020 and 2025. The coffee pod industry was valued at $25.07 billion in 2020 and it’s projected to grow even more going forward.

Experts predict the K-Cup® industry to continue to grow because of the increase of at-home single-cup coffee usage. There’s a reason why it seems like every coffee shop now sells their coffee in bags or K-Cups®’”they had to compete with K-Cup® market growth.

The quality, efficiency, and wide range of coffee choices are all responsible for single-serve coffee growth. Consumers who make coffee at home are more likely to buy coffee machines that are compatible with K-Cups®, thus contributing to the growth of K-Cup® usage. Coffee pods are desirable essentially because they are easy and quick to use, but you still get good coffee from it.

However, with the growth of K-Cup® usage also comes an increased demand for sustainable and organic practices. Even with the sudden growth, sustainability is still important for both buyers and retailers and organic is now a necessity. Consumers also want higher-quality coffee in their K-Cups®, with coffee selected from various origins.

In order to succeed in this competitive landscape, there are a few factors you should take into consideration. Focus on product innovations, high distribution networks, limited-edition K-Cups®, and better supply chain management to give you a competitive advantage.

Should You Start Selling Your Own K-Cups®?

So, should you start selling your own K-Cups®? The answer is clearly yes. Right now is a great time to get into the K-Cup® market, considering how much it’s growing and is projected to grow. There’s no time like the present to capitalize on this trend.

Ready to create your own K-Cups®? Intelligent Blends can help. With Intelligent Blends, you can customize the blend of the coffee, as well as the design to fit your brand. For K-Cups® that stand out, Intelligent Blends has invested in innovative K-Cup® design, including updates that maximize extraction and prolong freshness. As a leading private label coffee manufacturer, we also have a K-Cup® research and development team, who can work with you to create unique blends for your line.

Take Advantage of K-Cup® Market Growth

If you’re considering adding K-Cups® to your brand’s offer, now is the time to take advantage of this impressive market growth. The single-serve coffee industry grew substantially in the past year, and it’s only going to continue to go up from here’”don’t miss your chance to find new customers and grow your business.

Intelligent Blends is a great resource to help you provide your customers with convenient single-serving coffee options, including branded K-Cups®. Contact Intelligent Blends today to get started. We make expanding your private label coffee line easy from start to finish. From designing the packaging and creating your own custom blends to distribution, partnering with Intelligent Blends is a smart way to take advantage of this new business opportunity.

Press Release archives
July 1, 2021
Gourmet K-Cups®: Are High End K-Cups® a Thing?
In today’s world, drinking coffee isn’t always as simple as just pouring some from the pot and calling it a day. There’s lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, cold brew’”and that’s just naming the few. With the variety of options out there, making your morning cup of coffee can be complicated, but thankfully, there’s K-Cups®. We’re all familiar with the simplicity of K-Cups®. You pop one into your coffee machine, fill it up with water, and call it a day. But have you ever thought of gourmet K-Cups®?

If you haven’t, you’re probably wondering, are high-end K-Cups a thing? And are they here to stay? The answer to both of these questions is a resounding yes.

So now that you know that K-Cups® specialty coffee is a real thing, you’re probably considering if you add them to your brand’s coffee offering to capitalize on this opportunity and provide your customers with the best coffee-drinking experience.

In this post, we’ll be discussing what industries use high-end K-Cups®, what makes a K-Cup® ‘œgourmet’, how they’re made, and more. Keep reading for a full overview about gourmet K-Cups® or use the links below to go straight to the section that interests you most.
What Industries Use High-End K-Cups®?

Gourmet K-Cups® are useful in a myriad of industries. Just think how much you could impress your clientele if you had high-end coffee pods out on display for them to use? Using gourmet K-Cups® makes your business more memorable and helps you stand out amongst competitors. People don’t forget a good cup of coffee- especially when it comes from a K-Cup®.

Here are just some of the many industries that would benefit from carrying high-end coffee pods:
- Coffee shops
  - So your customers can take your coffee home and easily make their favorite signature blend themselves.
- Luxury hotels
  - You want to provide your guests with the very best experience, and that includes quality coffee during their stay.
- Restaurants
  - When someone orders a cup of coffee at a restaurant, they usually fear that it’s been sitting on the machine for too long and isn’t going to be fresh. Impress your customers with freshly made coffee from a delicious gourmet K-Cup®.
- Specialty food/grocery stores
  - Stores that tend to cater to higher-end customers will want to carry the very best foods and beverages, including gourmet coffee pods.
- Other services within the hospitality industry
  - Tourism agencies and cruise lines would benefit from offering high-end K-cups® to their customers who want a more gourmet cup of coffee when they travel.
What Makes a K-Cup® ‘œGourmet’?

Long gone are the days of plain old coffee pods, luxury coffee pods are here and they’re not going anywhere. You can find coffee pods in every variation imaginable: there’s flavored coffee pods, latte coffee pods, tea pods, hot chocolate pods, and so much more. With a K-Cup®, consumers get to experience the joy of drinking coffee, without having to go through all the work of making it. All they have to do is pop a pod into their coffee maker and viola, they’re done! Offering premium coffee K-Cups®, allows you to deliver this experience to your customers and become their go-to brand for making their favorite brew at home.

You may be wondering: what makes a K-Cup® ‘œgourmet’? How does it differ from the regular coffee pods we’re used to using? There are a few important characteristics that differentiate a luxury K-Cup® from a regular one:
- Bean quality
  - Gourmet coffee, at its root, goes back to the quality of the coffee beans
  - High quality coffee uses premium Arabica coffee beans which gives the coffee a fine aroma and rich flavor.
  - Intelligent Blends sources the top 10% of coffee beans in the most premier growing regions, promising high-quality coffee in every pod.
- Flavor Profile
  - The beans used in gourmet coffee should make it taste less bitter and create a smoother, slightly sweeter flavor profile.
  - Intelligent Blend mixes old world artisan batch roasting with modern technology to create smooth coffee blends with a rich flavor profile.
- Comes in a variety of flavors
  - Gourmet coffee pods come in an array of flavors, such as peppermint, French vanilla, Irish cream, and more.
  - Intelligent Blend gourmet K-Cups® are completely customizable so you can create your own blends and flavor profiles.
- Sustainability
  - With an increase in environmental awareness, companies who source their beans from farmers who use sustainable methods for growing their crops cater to a higher-end consumer.
  - Intelligent Blends prioritizes sustainability by using green coffee beans and offers 100% recyclable K-Cups®.
- Innovation
  - Gourmet K-Cups® have unique traits that differentiate them from other K-Cups®.
  - Intelligent Blends uses an innovative luxury K-Cup® design with a ribbed cup and a bottom dimple that yields 43% more coffee extraction than competitors which creates a fuller, more consistent taste with every pod. This design also has a longer shelf life and is made with patent pending technology.
Why Invest in Making Luxury K-Cups®?

For many people getting their morning cup of Joe from their local coffee shop just isn’t practical’”whether that’s due to their busy lifestyle or the financial commitment. That’s exactly why you should consider adding K-Cups® to your product line.

K-Cup® specialty coffee is a wise investment for several reasons, including:
- High-end coffee is growing in demand, especially among younger demographics.
- It can help your brand stand apart from other coffee brands that can’t compete with your coffee quality.
- Can help your coffee become a customer favorite, helping you retain a loyal customer base.
- Can help increase sales and appeal to a wider demographic of coffee drinkers.
- Offers sustainable options so customers can make more conscious choices when they consume their coffee.
Individuals are drinking more coffee at home now than ever. According to a 2020 Sprudge survey, consumers have 2.77 cups of coffee each day on average, so having a single-cup option is smart for your business. Customers want to drink high-quality coffee, but don’t want to go through the whole process of brewing it themselves. Gourmet K-Cups® are the solution to that problem.

How Luxury K-Cups® Are Made

So now you’re probably wondering: how are luxury K-Cups® made? The process goes something like this:
1. K-Cups® are loaded onto machines and the pods filled with ground coffee.
2. Coffee filters are then applied to each pod.
3. Every K-Cup® is inspected and weighed to ensure it is filled correctly and meets standards.
4. The pods are then labeled with a brand’s logo.
5. K-Cups® then get packaged into boxes and are ready to be sold and distributed.
Intelligent Blends ensures consistent quality with every K-Cup® we make and are responsive to all customer demands. We implement technology driven systems in our productive facilities which improves the efficiency through automation. And above all else, Intelligent Blends promises a state of the art working environment with safety measures in place. Intelligent Blends also has a variety of facility certifications, including: GFSI/BRC Certified, QAI Certified Organic, SCS Global Services, Fair Trade Certified, QAI Certified (Star-K) Kosher, Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, and UTZ Certified.

If you’re not sure about how to go about shipping gourmet K-Cup® pods, Intelligent Blends has you covered. Intelligent Blends offers fulfillment services available exclusively for co-pack customers. We will pick and ship the boxes and offer Amazon FBA prep and wholesale cartons. There are many reasons to choose Intelligent Blends for fulfillment including:
- Your inventory will be split across multiple locations to fit your customer’s needs
- Shipping costs are reduced
- 1-3 day ground shipping to most places in the US
- You can ship to anywhere in the world
- Tracking info is immediately sent to your store and customers
- Same-day order fulfillment
- Orders placed online are sent to the store that is closest to the customer to be filled
- Inventory transfers are managed by Intelligent Blends to reduce outside costs
Stand Out with Your Own Gourmet K-Cups®

There’s really no way you can go wrong when it comes to investing in gourmet K-Cups®. They’re high-quality coffee your customers can make right from the comfort of their own homes. Whether your gourmet coffee pods are used at home or at a hotel, high-end K-Cups® are useful in many circumstances. All you have to do is pop one in your coffee machine and you’ve got yourself a steaming cup of decadent coffee in no time. Offering gourmet K-Cups is a great way to make your brand stand out and appeal to the growing demographic of young people who love to drink their coffee at home. And Intelligent Blends makes for an excellent partner to help you do just that.

Intelligent Blends offers recyclable coffee pods that are completely customizable to your individual brand. Custom gourmet K-Cups® provide your customers with a convenient single-serving option, and you can even buy the pods at wholesale prices to save money. What’s not to love? We all know that there’s nothing better than that morning cup of coffee’”so why not make it gourmet?

Contact an Intelligent Blends representative to get started on making your own brand of gourmet K-Cups® today.

Press Release archives
July 1, 2021
Are Compostable K-Cups® Better for the Environment than Recyclable K-Cups®?
Responsible business owners who want to make ethical choices for their company have a dilemma to solve when it comes to choosing the right type of K-Cups® for their coffee line. Should they opt for compostable or recyclable K-Cups®? And which choice is better for the environment?

It can be confusing to determine the differences between a compostable coffee pod versus a recyclable coffee pod. On one hand, the idea of a compostable K-Cup® that simply breaks down after the bio-degradation process seems straightforward. But compostable coffee pods actually have quite a few flaws that seriously impact their environmental footprint. The other choice is to invest in recyclable coffee pods, which can be broken down and reused before ending their lifecycle.

Below, we’ll look more deeply into the differences between compostable K-Cups® and recyclable K-Cups® as well as how to make the choice between them that’s best for your company. Use the navigational links below to jump to a section you’d like to learn more about, or simply continue reading for a full overview and breakdown of these two types of K-Cups®.
How compostable K-Cups® work

Compostable K-Cups® are designed to be broken down completely, instead of staying intact. Sounds great, right? Well, you can’t just throw your compostable K-Cup® into your backyard composting pile and call it a day. Consumers might assume that their compostable coffee pod can just go into their own home or community composting system, but the process to break the pods down is actually much more involved.

Compostable pods must be processed in an industrial composting facility. Plus, it requires a very specific combination of heat and materials for proper composting which uses lots of energy. Mainstream composting facilities that can process these compostable coffee pods are extremely hard to come by. There are less than 100 industrial composting facilities in the United States that can handle these types of coffee pods on a large scale.

There aren’t any compostable K-Cups® on the market today that are approved for backyard composting. Instead, you’ll always get the caveat that in order to be composted, the used coffee pods will need to go to an industrial center for processing. That’s not exactly convenient for the average consumer who may live far away from one of these facilities.

The inconvenience of searching out one of these official facilities may mean consumers simply throw them out in their regular trash, so the pods end up in a landfill. No harm, no foul though, right? They’re compostable so they’ll just break down!

Well, it turns out that even though those coffee pods will break down over time, it’s an extremely slow process. The bio-degradation process also needs oxygen, light, and heat to happen. Those three elements aren’t guaranteed in a landfill, meaning that the coffee pods will take a long time to disintegrate., which most studies find this process can take anywhere from 30-100 years if it breaks down at all.

What does this mean for you, as a business owner? If you’d like to minimize your impact on the environment, choosing recyclable K-Cups® offers a better solution for your customers. Recyclable K-Cups® can be reused instead of immediately reaching the end of their lifecycle. Are K-Cups® really recyclable? Yes! Keep reading to find out more about how recyclable K-Cups® from Intelligent Blends work.

How recyclable K-Cups® work

Recyclable coffee pods are a single-serving coffee option made from packaging that can be reused. K-Cups® from Intelligent Blends can be used with Keurigs and other compatible coffee makers.

At Intelligent Blends, we know that sustainability matters to you and your customers. So, are coffee pods recyclable? Yes, but they have to be made from a special material in order to be reused.

Intelligent Blends’ K-Cups® are made from a polymer plastic known as polypropylene #5. This polymer plastic is particularly special because it’s a highly sought-after material that’s widely accepted at recycling centers across the U.S. For consumers, this makes it easy to recycle the pods after use instead of searching out an industrial facility.

The clear winner for your coffee business: recyclable K-Cups®

Are you curious about how compostable pods stack up to recyclable pods? Below, we’ve compared compostable K-Cups® and recyclable K-Cups®.

Why compostable pods don’t make sense:
- 2-day shelf life. Once the compostable pods are opened, the coffee goes stale after one day. This means that consumers might not get the freshest-tasting coffee if they don’t use their pod right away.
- Special processing needs. To be properly composted, compostable coffee pods must be sent to industrial composting facilities. There are less than 100 facilities that meet this criteria in the U.S. Consumers may not have convenient access to one of these facilities. Instead of looking up how to dispose of compostable coffee pods, they may just throw them away instead.
- Slow bio-degradation process. When composted materials go into landfills it takes them a long time to biodegrade. Up to 100 years is even possible.
- Non-recyclable plastic pouch packaging. Sadly, compostable K-Cups® are packaged in non-recyclable plastic pouches. And remember, once opened, the coffee has 24 hours before it gets stale and won’t taste fresh.
As you can see, compostable coffee pods have quite a few drawbacks.

Recyclable K-Cups® solve sustainability pain points for beverage businesses:
- Mainstream recycling infrastructure. There are already half a billion pounds of PP #5 recycled each year, so the United States recycling infrastructure is already in place and processing this material on a large, mainstream scale.
- High recycling facility acceptance rate. 61% of recycling programs accept propylene #5.
- Maximized extraction and freshness. Recyclable K-Cups® from Intelligent Blends are efficient, beverage-safe, and lightweight. We use an innovative K-Cup® design that maximizes the coffee extraction process and use a patent-pending technology to seal in freshness. This means that customers get the best possible flavor every single time.
- Lower environmental impact. Recyclable K-Cups® have a lower environmental impact compared to other packing materials like paper, metal, or glass that put out five times the amount of waste and use four times the amount of carbon dioxide, six times the amount of water, and two times the amount of energy.
Not only are the recyclable K-Cups® better for the environment, but the cartons they’re shipped in are also recyclable. We also prioritize sustainability in our manufacturing processes.

Here are the principles that guide our manufacturing at Intelligent Blends:
- Ensuring consistent quality
- Responsiveness to customers demands
- Increasing production capacity and capabilities
- Implementing technology-driven systems
- Enhancing our quality and efficiency through automation
- Providing a state of the art working environment with a safety-first approach
How to recycle a K-Cup® properly

The SCS Certified recyclable K-Cups® are made entirely from #5 polypropylene as we mentioned above. Polypropylene is accepted by 61% of recycling programs in the United States. Intelligent Blends’ coffee pods have an easy-peel tab lid, so sorting and recycling the pods is both easy and convenient.

Follow the steps below to recycle your K-Cup®:
1. Cool: Allow your K-Cup® to cool down after you’ve made your coffee.
2. Peel: Peel off the top of the lid. You can compost the coffee grounds into your home composting system or discard them into your garbage.
3. Recycle: Dispose of your K-Cup® where #5 plastics are accepted.
Recyclable K-Cups® from Intelligent Blends is a sustainable decision that can help lessen your carbon footprint. Plus, the simplicity of the recycling process means nobody has to find an industrial facility to ensure the K-Cup® doesn’t go to waste, languishing in a landfill for years before finally breaking down.

Add recyclable K-Cups® to your brand’s coffee line

Not only are recyclable K-Cups® an ethical way to make your business more sustainable, but they’re also smart for your bottom line. Offering custom K-Cups® in your brand’s line of private label coffee delivers an eco-friendly product that’s customizable to your exact specifications. Plus, with so many people already used to using K-Cups®, it’s a great way to tap into that market and compete with other brands. Your customers will appreciate the convenient option for consuming their coffee, especially if they’re already a fan of your blends.

When it comes to your business, it’s critical to avoid settling for packaging that’s just ‘œokay.’ This is why we offer cost-efficient products designed to be a turnkey solution. We partner with you to provide a product optimized for brewing that doesn’t hurt your bottom line. Plus, we ship anywhere with fulfillment centers all over the United States.

Contact us today to learn more about Intelligent Blends’ recyclable coffee pod options as well as our other services and products. You can learn more about what we pack and how a partnership with us can help your business reach new heights.

Press Release archives
June 21, 2021
The Growth of Powder Packet Stick Packs
If you own a beverage business, it can be difficult to decide what kinds of product lines to invest in. After all, there are so many different iterations of beverage products, from pure coffee grounds to K-Cups® to stick packs. Where do you start? Well, if you’re looking to jump into a burgeoning market, choosing powder packet stick packs might be a smart, strategic move for your business.

Stick packs are single-serve packaging containers of instant tea, coffee, vitamins, and other beverages or flavorings. To make a beverage from a stick pack, you just need hot water. Then, combine the stick pack ingredients with the hot water and a stirrer, and ta-da: instant beverage! Pretty simple, right?

Besides the ease of use and accessibility for customers, stick packs are also convenient for sellers who want to send out samples of new product offerings to loyal customers or entice new customers to try out their brand.

Keep reading below for a comprehensive explanation of powder packet stick packs and how they can help expand the potential profits for your business. Or, use the navigational links to jump to a specific section you’d like to learn more about.
The rising popularity of stick pack packaging

So, what is a stick pack exactly? Well, they’re tube-shaped packets sealed at both ends. Usually, they have a perforated edge to make them easy to open. Besides the beverage industry, stick packs are also used for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. However, the food and beverage sector is the market segment currently spurring the growth and popularity of stick packs.

Here’s a quick summary of the different industries that use stick packs:
- Supplements: Vitamins, protein powder, collagen, electrolytes, and energy powders are common stick pack products for consumers interested in health, fitness, and wellness. The stick pack’s portability makes it easy to slip into gym bags or keep up with a daily supplement regimen.
- Pharmaceuticals: For single doses of pharmaceuticals, stick packs are an ideal way to deliver medicine to patients. It also makes traveling with the right amount of medicine extremely simple.
- Makeup: Stick packs can also be used for cosmetic samples so consumers can try out a small size of a product before committing to the full-sized version.
- Dairy products: Creamers, powdered milk, and yogurt can all be packaged with stick packs. Again, stick packs offer single-serving portions perfect for a nomadic lifestyle.
- Spices and sweeteners: For the right blend of sweetener or spices, stick packs provide an exact, measured portion.
- Beverages: Instant coffee, hot cocoa, and other beverage mixes can be provided in stick packs for convenient drink options that just require hot water.
As you can see, stick packs are in demand. In fact, 16 billion stick packs are expected to be purchased in 2021 alone. The stick pack packaging market is on the cusp of lucrative growth. The year-over-year growth estimate for stick packs is projected to be 5% to 7%.

And that’s just a conservative estimate! So, why are stick packs and stick pack packaging suddenly rising in the ranks of beverage products? More consumers want options that fit their lifestyle, which means single-serve packaging that can be taken on the go.

In addition, powder packet packaging is a convenient alternative for customers who don’t have a kettle at home or those who are traveling and still want their regular beverage. It’s also a great option for consumers who want an exact amount or need portion control.

Adding stick pack packaging into your business can help you reach a different set of customers and expand your market.

Why stick packs?

Stick packs are a worthwhile addition to your product line. Individual packaging offers an easy way for customers to bring their beverages around with them in a way that doesn’t take up a lot of space. But besides the small, pocket-sized convenience of powder packet packaging, there are many more benefits to explore and understand. And if you’re looking for a private label packaging manufacturer, below are some reasons to choose stick pack packaging services from Intelligent Blends.

Convenient

Not only are stick packs an ideal way for consumers to make and sip a beverage on the go, it’s also a smart pick for businesses, too. Intelligent Blends’ stick packs ship nationwide quickly, so you don’t have to worry about long processing times.

When your customers place an order through Intelligent Blends, the order is automatically sent to the nearest fulfillment center. Ground transit time for fulfillment in the U.S. only takes between one and three days. Plus, you can also get your stick packs distributed and shipped internationally if you want to expand your market.

Benefits of stick pack packaging:
- Single-serving solution: Customers don’t need to make multiple servings and waste excess coffee, tea, or other beverages.
- Portability: Whether customers are at an airport, hotel, or elsewhere, they’ll never have to worry about missing their favorite beverage.
- Easy to use: All that’s needed is hot water.
- Product samples: Capture the attention and taste buds of customers at industry events.
Versatile

When it comes to single-serve packaging suppliers, you might find your options are limited. But not with Intelligent Blends. We have a huge range of beverage options that go beyond your typical coffees and teas (although we have those, too).

Here are some of the beverage options you can choose from if you use Intelligent Blends as your single-serve packaging supplier.

Intelligent Blends powder, flavoring, or supplement options:
- Beverage mixes
- 3-in-1 coffee
- Creamers
- Instant coffee
- Instant soups and broths
- Electrolytes
- Vitamins
- Functional ingredients
- Cocoa
A variety of powders can be packaged in stick packs and you can choose from a range of sizing options and quantity choices.

Customizable

Working with Intelligent Blends means that your stick packs are customizable to your brand. You’ll be able to add your own branding to one of our existing blends or you can get creative and make your own. You can pick from different tea blends, herbal remedies, vitamins, minerals, superfoods, sweeteners, flavorings, and cocoa.

Sustainable

Sustainability matters. But sometimes, making ethical and sustainable decisions that don’t hurt your bottom line can be tough when you’re running a business. However, you don’t have to choose between eco-friendly and cost-efficiency if you decide to use Intelligent Blends for your beverage packaging needs.

Plus, Intelligent Blends follows sustainable manufacturing practices at our stick pack production facility. Our manufacturing objectives always abide by these principles:
- Ensuring consistent quality
- Responsiveness to customers demands
- Increasing production capacity and capabilities
- Implementing technology-driven systems
- Enhancing our quality and efficiency through automation
- Providing a state of the art working environment with a safety-first approach
And, stick packs are packaged in recyclable cartons so the materials can be reused.

Cost-Efficient

Bulk stick packs are a great option for staying within budget and pushing your dollars further. This means that you can optimize your investment while still expanding the line of beverage products you offer. It also means that your products are more accessible to vendors who want to carry your line.

High-Quality

Just because our stick pack packaging is cost-efficient doesn’t mean we skimp on the details that impact your customer’s experience of your product. Intelligent Blends’ powder pack packaging boasts a high-barrier film that delivers a 24-month shelf life.

Why choose Intelligent Blends to manufacture your stick packs?

You might be asking yourself, ‘œWhy would I choose your brand over say… any other brand?’ Well, we are a private label wholesale coffee manufacturer that can help you grow your brand. We pride ourselves on our sustainability, superior quality, quick fulfillment, manufacturing excellence, and other services like research and development for new flavors.

Diving into the world of private label wholesale coffee and beverages can be confusing, but we take all the complexity out of the equation. Intelligent Blends is ready to partner with you to help grow your brand, expand your line of beverage products, or elevate the sophistication of your beverage blends.

Add stick packs to your product line

Stick packs are a growing market and you definitely don’t want to miss out on this trend. Modern consumers don’t always have the time to brew beverages at home using traditional percolators or other beverage makers. And that’s where stick packs come in. Stick packs offer a convenient, no-mess option for your customers to enjoy your beverage.

Intelligent Blends can help you with your business and help you take advantage of this versatile product line. Buy bulk stick packs today or learn more about what we pack and what you can create with Intelligent Blends.

Press Release archives
June 21, 2021
Intelligent Blends Announces Massive Solar Installation
Intelligent Blends Announces Massive Solar Installation allowing House Brand Maud’s Coffee & Tea to be produced using 100% Solar Energy.
- In 2021, Intelligent Blends transitioned to solar-powered energy for the production of all certified recyclable pods made for their house brand, Maud’s Coffee & Tea.
- With core values that support sustainability, fair-trade partnerships and certified organic practices, Intelligent Blends leads the industry in ‘œfirsts’ that reflect their passion for doing the right thing.
- The company continues to make huge strides toward their goal of being carbon neutral by 2024.
April 5, 2020, San Diego, CA – Intelligent Blends, the San Diego-based sustainable manufacturer of single-serve and bagged beverages’”and parent company of Maud’s Coffee & Tea’”proudly announced the completion of a massive solar installation, which now powers all of its house-brand operations. This addition has now earned the company the proud distinction of being the first of its kind to boast production that utilizes solar power for a significant percentage of its power.

The mammoth project added an impressive 700 LG panels that each generate 405 watts of power, along with two sma 62 kilowatt inverters and two 50 kilowatt inverters, to the company’s San Diego headquarters. The resulting impact on the environment on an annual basis equates to taking 72 passenger vehicles off the road, 37,720 gallons of gasoline combusted or 5,500 tree saplings grown for 10 years.

Always at the cutting edge of sustainable, ethical and Earth-conscious production and manufacturing practices, Intelligent Blends is proud to lay claim to several other ‘œfirsts’ that set a standard for globally aware decision making within the industry. As the first company to commercialize the use of highly recyclable Poly Propylene #5 K-cups, it was able to address the concerns of earth-minded consumers regarding the waste historically generated by single-serve beverage packaging. Then, the company took it a step further by being the first to have their K-Cups certified recyclable by SCS Global, an international leader in third-party certification, validation, and verification for environmental, sustainability, and food safety and quality performance claims.

‘œWe believe that good coffee starts at the source, which is why we make sure that every step we take in manufacturing Maud’s products is thoughtful, ethical and environmentally responsible,’ says CEO and Founder Michael Ishayik. ‘œThe addition of solar-power to our production facility was a logical next step in ensuring that we continue our legacy of producing great products for our customers and partners the right way.’

Established in 2013, Intelligent Blends started out as an innovative’”and sustainable–manufacturer of coffee, tea, elixirs, and functional beverages. As the company’s capabilities and offerings have expanded through a robust R&D lab; the success of its flagship brand, Maud’s; and valued co-packaging, hospitality and production partnerships, it’s never lost sight of its passion for doing the right thing, particularly in the areas of sustainability, fair-trade partnerships and certified organic practices.

With aspirations of being completely carbon neutral by 2024, Intelligent Blends will continue to harness innovation, emerging technologies and good old-fashioned sunshine to create high-quality, Earth-friendly products for Earth-minded partners and customers around the globe.

Intelligent Blends is a privately held, sustainable manufacturer of single-serve and bagged beverages, including coffees and teas, based in Southern California. The company offers co-packing and hospitality solutions for partners worldwide, while boasting several in-house brands that are distributed through select e-commerce and retail sites. With a commitment to creating high-quality, sustainable options for customers and partners, Intelligent Blends offers unmatchable services and products that are easy and cost-effective, while never losing sight of the infinite possibilities that come from flexibility, innovation and a passion for what you do.

For additional media information about Intelligent Blends, LLC, contact:

John Lenz, VP of Sales

858-245-9265 or john@intelligentblends.com

Press Release archives
April 6, 2021
Intelligent Blends Announces Robust R&D Lab Capabilities as Functional Foods Market Continues to Grow
Intelligent Blends Announces Robust R&D Lab Capabilities as Functional Foods Market Continues to Grow.
- Intelligent Blends Research and Development group expands formulation and manufacturing capabilities in 2021.
- Of the 300+ individual food & beverage formulations finalized by the company, around 70% include a functional ingredient.
- Food and beverage trends show a strong consumer interest in ingredients that provide added health and nutritional benefits.
- Experts predict a 7% compound annual growth rate’”from $77.3 billion to $124.1 billion’”between 2018 and 2025, and a compound annual growth rate of 8.66% for the global functional beverage market from 2019-2024.
February 24, 2021, San Diego, CA – Intelligent Blends, a leader in the manufacture of coffee, tea, elixirs, and functional beverages, has announced the expansion of its robust research and development lab at their San Diego facility. By expanding its capabilities to address the growing consumer interest in functional beverages, the company is poised to offer partners and customers the opportunity to meet consumer needs and expectations while embracing current food and beverage trends and advancements in the market.

In addition to these exciting product development advancements, the lab is also well equipped to support the company’s growing manufacturing and packaging capabilities. From developing the perfect blends and formulations, to offering a broad selection of packaging options’”including K-Cup®, Compatible with Nespresso® capsules, bagged ground and whole bean coffee, creamer bags, and stick packs’”Intelligent Blends is delivering even more high-quality, innovative options to customers at every step of their journey.

The timing for these expanded capabilities could not come at a better time’”both for Intelligent Blends as well as the customers and partners they serve. Recent data shows that, with consumers being forced to shelter in place, there has been a 40% surge in non-alcohol sales vs. months prior to 2020. New York-based Nielsen Data reports that sport drinks sales were up 7.9% versus the prior year period; water sales have increased 8% over the same period.

Additionally, people have started looking for in-home beverage options that provide added health and nutritional benefits. In fact, for the 52-week data period cited above, weight control, nutritional liquids and powders netted sales of more than $4 billion’”an increase of 5% overall from previous years. By expanding its formulation capabilities to include the rapidly growing soluble powder market, Intelligent Blends is able offer their customers and partners the ability to meet consumers where they are and to introduce new and innovative options for health-minded coffee and tea lovers.

“‘They say, you are what you eat’, but recent trends indicate it may be time to amend that to include ‘and drink’”, says Jeff Mcintosh, Head of Intelligent Blends Research and Development. “Today’s health-conscious consumers are not only looking for tasty beverages to quench their thirst, they’re also seeking products containing beneficial and functional ingredients. What started as a project dealing with functional ingredients a few years back, has now turned into a big part of what we do.”

In 2018, the global health ingredients market was valued at $77.3 billion and is projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 7%–to reach $124.1 billion by 2025. Similarly, it’s estimated that the global functional beverage market will see a compound annual growth rate of 8.66% from 2019-2024. Experts attribute these numbers to increased health awareness, specifically in the younger population, which has swayed consumers from fruit juices and carbonated drinks to functional beverages.

To date, Intelligent Blends Research and Development has finalized over 300 individual beverage/food formulations and commercialization–around 70% of which include a functional ingredient. For a company that opened its doors in 2013 as a co-packer for coffee and tea K-Cups®, this is a huge leap and a sign of its continued commitment to high-quality products borne from thoughtful growth and fearless innovation.

Intelligent Blends is a privately held, sustainable manufacturer of single-serve and bagged beverages, including coffees and teas, based in Southern California. The company offers co-packing and hospitality solutions for partners worldwide, while boasting several in-house brands that are distributed through select e-commerce and retail sites. With a commitment to creating high-quality, sustainable options for customers and partners, Intelligent Blends offers unmatchable services and products that are easy and cost-effective, while never losing sight of the infinite possibilities that come from flexibility, innovation and a passion for what you do.

For additional media information about Intelligent Blends, LP, contact:

John Lenz, VP of Sales, 858-245-9265 or john@intelligentblends.com

Keurig® and K-Cup® are registered trademarks of Keurig Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Intelligent Blends and our brands are not affiliated with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc., or Keurig Inc.

Intelligent Blends and its products are not endorsed by, sponsored by or approved by Nespresso USA, Inc. or any of its affiliates, and Intelligent Blends is not a licensee of Nespresso USA, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Nespresso® is a registered trademark of SociÃ©tÃ© des Produits NestlÃ© S.A.

Press Release archives
February 25, 2021