Cup of Coa
Designer | Jasmin McGinnis & Jamie Kucera
Location | Kearney, Nebraska USA
Launch Date | October 24th, 2025
With the launch of our two new dark chocolate flavors in October 2025, we saw an opportunity to refresh the Cup of Coa line while honoring the elements our customers already cherished. For years, our cocoa had been housed in tins that were as loved for their beauty and tactile presence as for the chocolate inside. People reused them in kitchens, studios, and desks, and that quiet ritual became a guiding inspiration.
The redesign preserves the familiar cylindrical form that invites touch and handling, while introducing subtle refinements that enhance the experience. Embossed textures, metallic accents, and delicate botanical details distinguish each flavor and reward a closer look, reflecting the layered richness of the cocoa itself.
We also considered versatility and usability. The cocoa can be enjoyed hot, iced, or even in frozen preparations, making it a year-round companion in cafés and at home. By thinking beyond a single style of consumption, we aimed to create a design that feels lasting, adaptable, and part of everyday life.
Ultimately, the goal was to create a packaging experience that feels thoughtful and enduring—a beautiful object that is recognized immediately as Cup of Coa, cherished in the moment, and returned to again and again.
Sustainability was a central driver of the redesign.
Historically, Cup of Coa was packaged in metal tins that customers loved and frequently reused. We heard countless stories of tins becoming holders for makeup brushes, pens, and kitchen tools. That behavior inspired the new design: we wanted packaging that people would continue to keep and reuse, while reducing the environmental impact of the materials themselves.
The new tube format is produced using FSC-certified paper materials and printed with soy-based inks, creating a packaging structure that is largely paper-based and designed for recyclability. We worked closely with a sustainable packaging partner to ensure the materials and construction aligned with responsible sourcing and production practices.
We have also always deliberately chosen not to include a plastic scoop with our products, even though customers frequently ask for one. Scoops are often unnecessary single-use plastic, and the cocoa can easily be measured with everyday kitchen tools.
The result is a packaging system that balances beauty and responsibility. It preserves the sense of permanence and ritual customers loved about the original tins while shifting toward materials and practices that reduce long-term environmental impact.
