Bottles, colors & their meaning

Glass bottles come in a variety of colors, from clear to brown, green and even blue. These colors are not just for aesthetics, but also for practical reasons.

The use of different colors for glass bottles goes back a long way and the exact origins of each color are not well documented. However, we do know that ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Romans were already producing coloured glass in 1500 BC.

In modern times, the use of different colors for glass bottles has been refined and optimized for specific purposes. Here we show you the differences.

The different bottle colors

Clear glass

Clear glass is the most commonly used type of glass for bottles. It makes the contents of the bottle visible and is therefore ideal for presenting products. Clear glass is also easy to recycle and can be reused many times.

Brown glass

Amber glass is often used for beer bottles because it offers protection against ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light can cause the beer to develop a foul odor by breaking down hop components and creating a sulfur-like smell. Brown glass helps to prevent this by blocking the harmful UV rays.

Green glass

Green glass is often used for wine bottles as it offers similar protection from UV light as amber glass. In addition, the green color can help filter out certain wavelengths of light, which can protect the taste and aroma of the wine.

Blue glass

Blue glass is less common than the other colors and is often used for cosmetic or medical products. It offers some protection against UV light, but is mainly used for its aesthetic effect.

In summary, the color of a glass bottle is determined by its intended use. Clear glass is used for products that are best presented, while amber and green glass is used for products that need to be protected from UV light. Blue glass is mainly used for its aesthetic value.