Abstract: A coffee- or tea-making machine is to be constructed so that its space-occupancy during non-use is considerably smaller than its space occupancy during use. For this purpose the maximum inner width, or alternately inner diameter of the receptacle for the filtrate is larger than the outer maximum width, or alternately, outer diameter of the filter container above a supporting flange of the filter container. The fresh-water container of the coffee- or tea-making machine has a base surface which corresponds at least to that of the receptacle, and the inner height of the fresh-water container corresponds at least to the combined height of the receptacle and of the filter container, when the filter container is inserted into the receptacle in a position reverse from a normal operating position of the filter container.