Abstract: A nozzle 20 has a fluid flow passage 26 which defines a fluid flow path from an inlet 5 end of said passage towards an outlet end of said passage. A restrictor 29a is movable under the control of an actuation system 27 relative to the passage to vary the minimum cross-sectional area of the fluid flow path through the passage. The restrictor 29 is moved to project into the passage to provide a restricted opening in the passage or removed from the passage to allow an unrestricted flow through the 10 passage. The nozzle 20 is particularly suitable for use in a beverage preparation machine to generate microfoam in a beverage. When the restrictor 29 is retracted from the passage 29, the passage and the restrictor can be cleaned by flushing the nozzle. The restrictor 29 may be a pin-like member aligned with the passage and moveable parallel to the axis of the passage.

Abstract: The apparatus (300) comprising a cooling unit (310) containing a coolant, a product conduit (330), a cooling conduit (331), a coolant supply conduit (317), a coolant return conduit (318), a coolant bypass conduit (320), a coolant pump (319), one or more valves (321, 322), and a controller. The controller being arranged and configured to operate the apparatus in at least a primary mode and in a secondary mode. In the primary mode coolant is circulated around a primary cooling circuit comprising the cooling unit (310), the coolant supply conduit (317), the cooling conduit (331) and the coolant return conduit (318). In the secondary mode coolant is circulated around a secondary cooling circuit comprising the coolant supply conduit (317), the cooling conduit (331), the coolant return conduit (318) and the coolant unit bypass conduit (320), wherein the secondary cooling circuit does not comprise the cooling unit (310).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing an ice-containing tea or coffee beverage. The apparatus (300) comprising a beverage concentrate reservoir (360), a water pre-chiller (312) and a mixer for mixing beverage concentrate from the beverage concentrate reservoir with water from the water pre-chiller to form a beverage liquor. Further, an ice-generating cooling circuit and a pre-chiller cooling circuit are provided. A single cooling unit (310) provides coolant for both the ice-generating cooling circuit and the pre-chiller cooling circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for preparing an ice-containing tea or coffee beverage. The apparatus (300) comprising a beverage concentrate reservoir (360), a sweetener concentrate reservoir (361) and a water pre-chiller (312). A first pre-mixer (362) for mixing beverage concentrate supplied from the beverage concentrate reservoir with water supplied from the water pre-chiller, a second pre-mixer (363) for mixing sweetener concentrate supplied from the sweetener concentrate reservoir with water supplied from the water pre-chiller. A mixing chamber (364) for mixing an output from the first pre-mixer with an output from the second pre-mixer to form a beverage liquor, a cooling unit (310).