Abstract: A dispensing valve is shown that controls the flow of a fluid, the valve having a housing containing a cylindrical/tubular passageway between an inlet and outlet of the valve. A rod like closure member is operable to move through the passageway from a first position in which the valve is fully closed, to a second position in which the valve is fully open. The exterior surface of the closure member engages the interior surface wall of the passageway to seal the passageway and the interior surface wall and/or the exterior surface of the closure member have helical/spiral grooves therein. A spiral flow passage is defined through which the fluid can flow on its passage from the inlet to the outlet when the closure member moves away from its first position. Further movement of the closure member towards the second position regulates the flow rate of the fluid through the passageway.