FLUIDICALLY PRECONDITIONING BEVERAGE INGREDIENT PORTIONS

A machine (1) for serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) to a consumer receptacle (9) by mixing water (3) from a water source (3′) with a flavouring ingredient (2), has a mixing unit (10) that comprises: a stationary support (11); a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are: mounted to the support (11); and relatively movable between a transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration in which the seat (12) and the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) form a mixing chamber (12′) fluidically connected with the water source (3′). The machine (1) has a control unit (C) that is configured to control a preconditioning of the flavouring ingredient after an introduction into the seat's ingredient opening (120). The preconditioning of the flavouring ingredient comprises a portion loosening supply of water (3) from the water source (3′) into the mixing chamber (12′).