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.

A beverage brewing method implemented via a beverage brewing system includes the steps of setting multiple brewing parameters; reading an identification code of a beverage brewing material to generate an identification message; confirming the identification message indicates a brewing parameter that is a valid data and choosing one brewing parameter that corresponds to the identification message to generate a matched brewing parameter; downloading the matched brewing parameter to form a brewing implementation parameter for brewing the beverage brewing material; and forming a feedback message in the brewing process to change the matched brewing parameter into an invalid data to prevent repeated brewing of the beverage brewing material. Therefore, once a selected beverage brewing material has been brewed, the brewing parameter corresponding thereto will be changed into an invalid data and the same beverage brewing material would not be brewed repeatedly to ensure a stable quality of the brewed beverage.

A drinks machine has an output nozzle for delivering hot water or steam, Steam is used by a milk frothing unit whereas hot water is delivered by the output nozzle directly to the exterior of the drinks machine for collection in a drinks vessel. A single nozzle is thus provided for steam or hot water delivery and there is no need for any accessory when delivering hot water. This means that there is reduced cost, fewer components to lose, and simplified cleaning, in that only per-use cleaning of the milk frothing unit is required, not the fixed parts of the appliance associated with the milk frothing unit.

A drinks machine has an output nozzle for delivering hot water or steam, Steam is used by a milk frothing unit whereas hot water is delivered by the output nozzle directly to the exterior of the drinks machine for collection in a drinks vessel. A single nozzle is thus provided for steam or hot water delivery and there is no need for any accessory when delivering hot water. This means that there is reduced cost, fewer components to lose, and simplified cleaning, in that only per-use cleaning of the milk frothing unit is required, not the fixed parts of the appliance associated with the milk frothing unit.

Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages comprising a vessel, said vessel comprising a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.

A coffee machine for the preparation of pressure-extracted coffee with a low particle content is provided. The coffee machine differs from known machines for pressure-extraction of coffee by comprising a filter element for reducing the particle content of coffee, which filter element is disposed downstream of the percolating sieve and is connected fluidically to the percolating sieve and to the outflow. By means of the filter element, coffee extracted by pressure in the percolating unit can be filtered before dispensing the outflow so that suspended particles and emulsified oils of a specific size are separated from the coffee by the filter element and a new coffee is produced. In addition, the coffee machine can prepare standard pressure-extracted coffee since the coffee from the percolating unit can also be guided past the filter element, i.e. need not flow necessarily via the filter element to the outflow.

The invention concerns a brewing unit (3) having a cavity for enclosing a food ingredient contained in a package (C), comprising first (14) and second (15) cavity parts, and fluid injection means (13), characterized in that said first and second cavity parts (14, 15) are hinged in a pivotal arrangement between open and closed positions and in that, when said cavity parts are pivoted in a closed position, the fluid injection means (13) and/or the first cavity part (14) are movable in translation relative to the second cavity part (15), between:a closed unlocked position that allows relative pivotal movement between cavity parts, anda closed locked position wherein said cavity parts are translated in contact with each other to close said brewing cavity, and wherein said injection means (13) protrude inside the brewing cavity to pierce a wall of the portion package.

A device to grind and tamp including a receptacle for receiving coffee grinds from a grinder that is drivable by a first electric motor, an auger for tamping coffee grinds in the receptacle, and a processor adapted to receive a feedback signal indicating whether the coffee grinds in the receptacle have reached a level threshold value. The auger is drivable by a second electric motor. The processor is further adapted to control the first electric motor and the second electric motor according to a tamp and grind sequence. The tamp and grind sequence includes, for a first time period, operating the first electric motor and the second electric motor and subsequently receiving the level feedback signal.

A device to grind and tamp including a receptacle for receiving coffee grinds from a grinder that is drivable by a first electric motor, an auger for tamping coffee grinds in the receptacle, and a processor adapted to receive a feedback signal indicating whether the coffee grinds in the receptacle have reached a level threshold value. The auger is drivable by a second electric motor. The processor is further adapted to control the first electric motor and the second electric motor according to a tamp and grind sequence. The tamp and grind sequence includes, for a first time period, operating the first electric motor and the second electric motor and subsequently receiving the level feedback signal.

Embodiments are directed towards regulating flow rate in an espresso machine, during a multi-phase brewing process which includes a pre-brew and an extraction phase. During the pre-brew phase, coffee grounds are slowly pre-wetted and/or out-gassed with a first volume of water delivered at a first flow rate. During the extraction phase, a second volume of water is delivered, at a second flow rate, to extract espresso, where the second volume is delivered at a generally greater pressure than the first volume. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate. The flow rates, volumes, and pressures are regulated by the espresso machine, which includes a flow rate regulation assembly that comprises first and second flow paths and first and second valves. Baristas may vary the flow rate, volume, and pressure of water throughout the brewing process by opening, closing, or otherwise adjusting at least one of the valves.