The invention relates to a disposable cartridge filled with a single serve portion of a liquid ingredient to be combined with a base liquid for the preparation of a liquid product, e.g. a beverage concentrate to be combined with water, e.g. carbonated water, for the preparation of a beverage suitable for human consumption. The cartridge comprises a vertically extending channel that extends to a dispensing aperture in the bottom of the cartridge and one or more dispensing passages extending between a reservoir and the outside of the cartridge. The dispensing passages are provided with outlet openings located adjacent the aperture such that the base liquid and the liquid ingredient are dispensed in parallel flows, the liquid ingredient subsequently coating the exterior of the stream of base liquid, such that actual mixing of the liquid ingredient and base liquid only takes place after both have been dispensed.

The invention relates to a disposable cartridge filled with a single serve portion of a liquid ingredient to be combined with a base liquid for the preparation of a liquid product, e.g. a beverage concentrate to be combined with water, e.g. carbonated water, for the preparation of a beverage suitable for human consumption. The cartridge comprises a vertically extending channel that extends to a dispensing aperture in the bottom of the cartridge and one or more dispensing passages extending between a reservoir and the outside of the cartridge. The dispensing passages are provided with outlet openings located adjacent the aperture such that the base liquid and the liquid ingredient are dispensed in parallel flows, the liquid ingredient subsequently coating the exterior of the stream of base liquid, such that actual mixing of the liquid ingredient and base liquid only takes place after both have been dispensed.

Various exemplary agitators for a carbonation system, systems including an agitator for a carbonation system, and methods including an agitator for a carbonation system are provided. In general, an agitator is configured to rotate in a chamber to mix together a gas, such as carbon dioxide, and a liquid, such as water, to form a carbonated fluid. The agitator includes a plurality of paddles configured to encourage the mixing of the gas and the fluid by agitating the gas and the liquid during the agitator's rotation. Each of the arms has an angled outer tip to facilitate the efficient mixing. The agitator includes a hollow shaft through which the gas is configured to flow during the agitator's rotation. The agitator can be part of a carbonation system configured to dispense the carbonated fluid as a beverage.

Various exemplary agitators for a carbonation system, systems including an agitator for a carbonation system, and methods including an agitator for a carbonation system are provided. In general, an agitator is configured to rotate in a chamber to mix together a gas, such as carbon dioxide, and a liquid, such as water, to form a carbonated fluid. The agitator includes a plurality of paddles configured to encourage the mixing of the gas and the fluid by agitating the gas and the liquid during the agitator's rotation. Each of the arms has an angled outer tip to facilitate the efficient mixing. The agitator includes a hollow shaft through which the gas is configured to flow during the agitator's rotation. The agitator can be part of a carbonation system configured to dispense the carbonated fluid as a beverage.

Beverage compositions and methods of preparing the same are provided herein. The beverage compositions can include calcium supplied from a calcium carbonate source including aragonite and a liquid component, such as water, a juice, a milk, and a combination thereof. Calcium components including aragonite particles and at least one additive agent as well as sweetener components including aragonite particles and at least one sweetener are also provided herein.

Beverage compositions and methods of preparing the same are provided herein. The beverage compositions can include calcium supplied from a calcium carbonate source including aragonite and a liquid component, such as water, a juice, a milk, and a combination thereof. Calcium components including aragonite particles and at least one additive agent as well as sweetener components including aragonite particles and at least one sweetener are also provided herein.

In a method of making a beverage, a plurality of beverage containers is placed onto a conveyor. A first phase including a base salt is dispensed into each one of the plurality of beverage containers. An acidic phase is dispensed into each one of the plurality of beverage containers. At least one of the first phase and the acidic phase includes water. At a third location on the conveyor that is spaced apart from both the first location and the second location, each one of the plurality of beverage containers is sealed individually with a substantially airtight seal at a predetermined amount of time after both the first phase and the acidic phase have been dispensed therein so that the first phase reacts with the second phase to carbonate the beverage therein with a predetermined amount of carbonation.

A system for deaeration of constituents of a liquid product blend includes a first liquid stream supply system and a second liquid stream supply system. A control system is configured to: (i) monitor flow of the first liquid and responsively/automatically control flow of the first deaeration gas in order to achieve a first target ratio of first deaeration gas to first liquid; and/or (ii) monitor flow of the second liquid and responsively/automatically control flow of the second deaeration gas in order to achieve a second target ratio of second deaeration gas to second liquid; and/or (iii) monitor a dissolved oxygen level of (a) the first liquid, at a location downstream of injection of the first deaeration gas, and (b) a combined liquid formed by mixing the first liquid and the second liquid, and to adjust the system based upon the dissolved oxygen level of the combined liquid.

A natural non-alcoholic beverage product, comprising two or more natural fruit flavours extracted and concentrated from two or more fruits, one or more natural botanical flavours extracted and concentrated from parts of one or more plants and at least one of a natural spice flavour, a natural unrefined sweetener, and a natural unrefined salt.

Rapidly dissolving flavoring composition concentrates are provided. The flavoring composition concentrates have a flavor, a solvent system, a flavor carrier system, and a densifier. The densifier is an acid modifier present in an amount such that it optimizes the rate of dispersion of the concentrate in water.