Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a beverage

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method for brewing coffee, the method comprising:
 positioning beverage material in a brew chamber of a beverage apparatus;   providing an initial flow of water to the brew chamber to produce a brewed beverage;   pulling a liquid portion of the brewed beverage through a vacuum from the beverage material through a filter of the brew chamber to a such that at least a portion of the beverage material remains in the brew chamber; and   dispensing the liquid portion into a beverage dispenser.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the beverage material is ground coffee, tea, or cocoa. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising providing a second flow of water to the brew chamber. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising controlling a temperature of the initial flow of water or the second flow of water. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein controlling the temperature of the initial flow of water or the second flow of water from the water storage chamber is based on a selection of a brewing option from a menu. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein controlling the temperature of the initial flow of water or the second flow of water comprises heating the initial flow of water or the second flow of water. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein controlling the temperature of the initial flow of water or the second flow of water comprises transporting the water along a surface area for heat exchange. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein controlling the temperature of the initial flow of water or the second flow of water comprises combining two or more flows of water from two or more sources. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the temperature of the initial flow of water or the second flow of water is between about 190° F. and about 200° F. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the initial flow of water or the second flow of water flows from a water storage chamber of the beverage apparatus to the brew chamber. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising receiving a selection of a brewing option from a menu. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising steeping the beverage material with water from the initial flow of water for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising positioning the brew chamber in a first position prior to providing the initial flow of water to the brew chamber; and positioning the brew chamber in a second position prior to pulling the liquid portion from the beverage material the brew chamber is in a second position when the liquid portion is pulled from the brewed beverage via the vacuum, wherein the second position is different from the first position. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising heating the water in the water storage chamber or storing preheated water in the water storage chamber. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein providing the initial flow of water from the water storage chamber to the brew chamber comprises transporting the initial flow of water from the water chamber to the brew chamber via gravity. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the method produces a cup of brewed beverage in less than 30 seconds. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising dispensing the brewed beverage from the beverage dispenser into a container, wherein the container is supported by a base portion of the beverage apparatus.