A vertically moving horizontal mixer assembly which includes a tank having an axis. A stator and blade support assembly is movable parallel to the tank axis. At least one rotatable blade substantially perpendicular to the tank axis is moveable parallel to the tank axis. The rotating blade may be a flat circular disk with raised tooth edges perpendicular to the disk around the circumference of the blade. An optional stator also directs and encourages movement and mixing of solids with liquids.

A blending apparatus for coating product in flavouring is provided. The blending apparatus comprises a product dispenser configured to dispense a falling stream of product, a flavouring dispenser configured to dispense a falling stream of flavouring, and a deflection surface. The deflection surface is configured to deflect at least one of the falling stream of product and falling stream of flavouring, thereby bringing the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring together. A method for coating product in flavouring is also provided. The method comprises the steps of dispensing a falling stream of product from a product dispenser, dispensing a falling stream of flavouring from a flavouring dispenser, deflecting the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring using a deflection surface so as to bring the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring together, thereby coating the product in the flavouring.