We use single-serve packets because our tea and coffee powder is sensitive to moisture - even the moisture in the air. A jar with a scoop doesn’t work because the powder clumps up over time and becomes unscoopable. And we're still looking for a 100% sustainable, preferably compostable material that will stand up to the demands of backpacking, camping and active life while preventing even the smallest amount of humidity or moisture from interacting with our tea and coffee powder. We welcome suggestions on solutions we should consider - please email support@cusatea.com if you have one to share!
The reason that other brands can market their instant beverages in jars or tubs is twofold: 1) many types of chemical preservatives, stabilizers, and anti-caking agents are added to the product to help it last longer and not clump up and 2) the products are severely burned in either a freeze drying process or a heat spraying process. These two processes are how pretty much all instant beverages are made and the result is a burned or "instant" type taste because the product has been exposed to extreme temperatures. However, in burning the product in this way it is possible maintain it in powder form. Cusa products are made using a gentle botanical extraction process which never uses extreme heat and thus preserves all of the flavor notes and healthy benefits.
And, while a jar or tub seems like a better option on the surface, it actually produces even more plastic per serving than our little packets. We address this in greater depth in several of our blog posts.