BEVERAGE DISPENSER

A beverage dispenser capable of preparing a variety of alternative types of beverages using different brewing parameters depending on the type of beverage. In one embodiment, the beverage dispenser is configured to use temperature, pressure and time parameters selected to provide optimal extraction for the type of beverage being prepared. In one embodiment, the beverage dispenser is intended to brew a variety of herbal teas with ingredients selected in accordance with traditional Chinese medicine. In one embodiment, the particle sizes of the various TCM ingredients are selected to provide optimized extraction in the beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser may be configured to identify the type of beverage pod installed in the system and automatically prepare that beverage in accordance with optimized brewing parameters determined based on the ingredients and the particle sizes of those ingredients. The beverage dispenser may be capable of collecting user information and providing beverage recommendations.