Patent ID: 8349382

Claim:
A method for improving quality of a beverage containing at least two different components, one of which is a beverage concentrate and another of which is an aroma or an aroma-providing component, which comprises: separating the at least two different components until formation of the beverage is desired; separately delivering each component to a chamber for mixing and combining, optionally with a diluent, in relative amounts to prepare the beverage; and dispensing the beverage from the chamber after the mixing and combining together of the previously separated components to provide the beverage for consumption by a consumer; wherein the dispensed beverage has a fresher taste compared to a beverage that is formed by mixing and combining of the components and storing of the mixed and combined components prior to beverage preparation, and wherein the two components are separated by storing in different compartments of a packaging assembly and which further comprises pumping the components from the compartments of the packaging assembly at a predetermined rate suitable for mixing or combining in the chamber in a uniform manner relative to each other.