A method and apparatus for extracting compounds from raw materials with an extraction column is provided. The control and manipulation of pressure exerted and contained within the extraction vessel or column may be vital in obtaining a certain flavor profile or intensity of the effluent extracted from the raw materials. As such, the method may include directing a flow of pressurized solvent into a base of the extraction column and utilizing the flow of pressurized solvent to create a pressure gradient applied to the raw materials. The method may further include compressing the raw materials with hydraulic compression. As the raw materials become further compressed, frictional heating may result allowing most, if not all, of the volatile aromatic heat sensitive compounds and constituencies to be extracted depending on the pressure strength applied to the raw materials. As such, manipulating the pressure gradients for each extraction process allows for distinct and specific flavor profiles to be extracted from the raw materials.

In order to reduce limescale formation on the continuous flow heater during operation of an apparatus for preparing freshly brewed hot beverages which has a hot water generator, which is embodied as a continuous flow heater, and a brewing apparatus, to which hot water from the hot water generator can be supplied, a controller for actuating the continuous flow heater is provided, which controller switches on the continuous flow heater for the purpose of drawing a pre-specified quantity of hot water and switches off said continuous flow heater shortly before the quantity of hot water is completely output, so that the temperature of the hot water at the output of the continuous flow heater is declining at the end of the drawing operation.

Grinding device, coffee machine and method for adjustment thereof. A grinding device (100) comprises a grinding housing (101) with mutually co-acting grinding bodies (110, 120). A lower of the two grinding bodies (110) is both driven and axially adjustable for the purpose of setting a grind size. An upper grinding body (120) is removable. A grind size of the grinding device can be adjusted in absolute manner between a first extreme position and a second extreme position, corresponding to a fixed setting range between a minimal clearance between the two grinding surfaces and a maximum clearance between the two grinding surfaces. An extreme position of the adjustable grinding body is imposed by a stop which is encountered by the adjusting means in the relevant extreme position. A coffee machine uses the absolute grind size and/or a fine-tuning for an optimal contact time between coffee and through-flowing water.

Systems and methods operable to produce a first beverage and produce a second food or beverage include a machine that includes a first nest and a second nest. The machine includes a brewing system operable to heat water and cause the heated water to flow through first ingredients to produce the first beverage and a refrigeration system operable to cool second ingredients to produce the second food or beverage. The machine includes a thermal battery thermally connected to the brewing system and the refrigeration system, the thermal battery operable to (i) store thermal energy produced by the refrigeration system when producing the second food or beverage and (ii) transfer thermal energy to the brewing system to assist in heating the water for producing the first beverage.

Systems and methods operable to produce a first beverage and produce a second food or beverage include a machine that includes a first nest and a second nest. The machine includes a brewing system operable to heat water and cause the heated water to flow through first ingredients to produce the first beverage and a refrigeration system operable to cool second ingredients to produce the second food or beverage. The machine includes a thermal battery thermally connected to the brewing system and the refrigeration system, the thermal battery operable to (i) store thermal energy produced by the refrigeration system when producing the second food or beverage and (ii) transfer thermal energy to the brewing system to assist in heating the water for producing the first beverage.

A dual brewing mechanism is provided. The dual brewing mechanism includes a hot water pipe, an espresso brewing device, a first solenoid valve, a pour over device and a second solenoid valve. The espresso brewing device includes a brewing head that has a flow channel configured therein, and hot water can be transported to the flow channel through a first pipe body of the hot water pipe. The first solenoid valve is in communication with the flow channel of the espresso brewing device, the hot water is transported to the pour over device through the second pipe body of the hot water pipe, and the second solenoid valve is in communication with the pour over device.

A dual brewing mechanism is provided. The dual brewing mechanism includes a hot water pipe, an espresso brewing device, a first solenoid valve, a pour over device and a second solenoid valve. The espresso brewing device includes a brewing head that has a flow channel configured therein, and hot water can be transported to the flow channel through a first pipe body of the hot water pipe. The first solenoid valve is in communication with the flow channel of the espresso brewing device, the hot water is transported to the pour over device through the second pipe body of the hot water pipe, and the second solenoid valve is in communication with the pour over device.

The present inventive concept consists of a logic controlled submersion brewing device that operates reliably with minimal user interaction. The brewer employs a submersion brewing technique to ensure a uniform extraction of beverage from solid extraction media. The device may be programmable to start on a timer. Parameters of the brew program may be customizable including serving size and extraction settings. The device will use vapor pressure to forcibly move beverage liquid across a sieve thereby separating the liquid from spent extraction media. Reliability and repeatability of the separation procedure is enhanced using a novel method of pressure control.

A liquid dispensing system, a liquid flow control assembly or member and a liquid dispenser. Preferably, the liquid dispensing system includes a single hot water tank. A liquid flow control assembly operably connected to the hot water tank is configured to direct only water from an upper portion of the hot water tank to a flavored beverage brewer (e.g., coffee or tea brewer) so that the flavored beverage is at an optimal elevated temperature when dispensed. The liquid flow control assembly or member is further configured to mix water from an upper portion of the hot water tank with water from a lower portion of the hot water tank and provide the water mixture to a hot water dispensing nozzle or outlet of the liquid dispenser to reduce the temperature of the water directed to the hot water dispensing nozzle or outlet.

The present invention is directed to a kit of at least two capsules (11) each for containing at least one specific food ingredient, the capsules being adapted to be alternatively functionally inserted in the brewing cavity of a food preparation machine (1) for the preparation of a multi-ingredient food product, characterized in that each capsule in the kit (11) comprises at least one deformable portion (17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 38) that is deformed when said capsule is inserted into the machine cavity, and/or when said cavity is closed, so that at least one machine operational parameter is set by detection of the reaction force on the machine cavity by the deformed deformable portion, said kit being further characterized in that different capsules in the kit comprise deformable portions with different predetermined mechanical properties so as to customize the machine brewing functional parameters to each capsule inserted therein.