Abstract: A capsule and capsule machine are provided for preparing product from capsules. The capsule includes a body that defines an interior space with an opening. Ingredients are disposed within the interior space for preparing a desired product. A cover is disposed over the opening. A visual tag is disposed on at least one of the body and cover. The machine includes a brew chamber adapted to receive a capsule and a reader adapted for reading a visual tag disposed on a capsule when the capsule is disposed in the brew chamber. An injection system is provided for injecting a fluid into the capsule and a controller is provided for controlling the injection system based at least in part by information identified by the reader. A capsule identification system is also provided comprising a plurality of capsule machines and interested parties connected via a remote server.