Liquid heating and dispensing apparatus and method

Dispensing a predetermined volume of liquid at a required temperature by pumping liquid through a flow-through heater 4, e.g. thick-film heater, the heater and pump 2 being controlled by a controller 3. A first volume of hot liquid is dispensed in a first stage followed by a second volume of liquid at a lower temperature in a second stage, the degree of heating being influenced by a temperature sensed 5 at the outlet of the heater during the first dispensation. The heater may be energised for a predetermined time before the pump is energised and the temperature may be sensed a predetermined time after the pump is energised. There may be a stage in which steam is dispensed before initiating the first stage. The dispensing system may be suitable for preparing hot beverages such as coffee and baby or infant milk formula.