Compacted coffee tablets, systems containing the same, and methods for their production

Abstract

The present invention discloses a compacted coffee tablet (1), in particular a tablet of compacted roasted and ground coffee beans, which has an advantageous configuration with respect to compaction method, shape maintenance and coffee extraction efficiency, in particular for espresso coffee. The present invention also discloses a beverage preparation system comprising the compacted coffee tablet (1) and a method for producing the same.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tablets for preparing beverages, said tablets being prepared by means of compaction of a granular edible substance, in particular roast and ground coffee, and to a beverage preparation system comprising a separate portion having said compacted tablet and a method for producing the same. Background Art

[0002] The prior art comprises several documents relating to compacted ground coffee tablets. Such compacted ground coffee tablets have several limitations in their industrial production, in particular with regard to the shapes that can be obtained.

[0003] The form of the compacted tablet can play an important role in the preparation of beverages, in particular in the case of espresso coffee or the like. In fact, it can be important to provide a cavity on the upstream oriented side in order to be able to temporarily accumulate the beverage in a package associated with the tablet (for example in the form of a two-piece film cover).

[0004] Document EP 0 229 920 B1 discloses a method for producing coffee tablets, comprising applying a pressure of 20.7 MPa to 48.3 MPa to a mass of roasted and ground coffee particles having a mass of at least 3%, in particular between 3% and 6%, and an average particle size of between 0.4 mm and 2.0 mm, in particular between 0.6 mm and 1.2 mm. The method also comprises coating the exterior of the compacted tablet with an edible material dispersible in water, wherein the coating comprises wetting with an aqueous liquid and applying the dry solid.

[0005] US Pat. No. 6,068,871 discloses a beverage formulation made from a tablet compact having a generally disc-shaped shape. The tablet may have an upstream-oriented portion, a downstream-oriented portion, and an intermediate portion, wherein the portions extend along similar extensions in the main flow direction. Furthermore, the tablet may have a cavity centrally arranged in at least one of the upstream-oriented face and the downstream-oriented face. In particular, the tablet may have a cavity that is solely spherical and extends along the entire upstream-oriented face of the upstream-oriented portion.

[0006] Document WO 2008 / 123775 A1 discloses a method for producing coffee tablets and coffee tablets obtained by means of said method. The coffee tablets may have a generally irregular shape.

[0007] No document in the prior art discloses a compacted coffee tablet having a structural configuration that provides for optimization of the structural resistance and therefore of the amount of material used. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a compacted coffee tablet having improved size and functional properties.

[0009] In particular, the compacted coffee tablet should have a better general configuration so as to have a better structural resistance and a better exposure of the coffee volume to the upstream flow, as well as a better configuration of the upstream directional portion so as to facilitate the extraction of coffee, in particular roasted and ground coffee beans, in the preparation of coffee-based beverages, for example of the espresso type.

[0010] In particular, the compacted coffee tablet according to the invention has at least a major portion of its compacted coffee volume, preferably at least 60%, particularly preferably at least 70%, in a region extending transversely upwards up to the total height, including in said intermediate portion and / or a second smaller portion of its compacted coffee volume, preferably at most 30%, particularly preferably at most 20%, in a region extending transversely to a dimension less than the total width, including on said upstream directed portion.

[0011] Compacted coffee tablets according to the invention may have a relationship between overall width and overall height of at most 5:1, preferably at most 4:1.

[0012] Furthermore, the compacted coffee tablet according to the invention has an upstream cavity that is different from the downstream cavity, including having a different extension in the main flow direction.

[0013] The upstream cavity may be contained in an upstream oriented portion and the downstream cavity may be contained in a downstream oriented portion, wherein the upstream and downstream oriented portions of the compacted coffee tablet are separated by an intervening portion.

[0014] The downstream directed portion may have a downstream cavity which is arranged in a central manner and extends only along a portion of the transverse dimension of the downstream directed portion, so that the peripheral area of ​​the downstream cavity has a portion extending in the transverse direction up to the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directed portion.

[0015] A related object is to provide a compacted coffee tablet having, for a given amount of ground coffee, improved physical properties with respect to extraction efficacy and physical stability of the compacted coffee tablet.

[0016] In particular, it is advantageous if the amount of ground coffee is comprised between 4 and 8 grams, preferably between 5 and 7 grams, particularly preferably between 5.3 and 6.7 grams, and if said amount of ground coffee has a moisture content comprised between 1 and 5% by mass, preferably between 2 and 4% by mass.

[0017] Furthermore, advantageously, said amount of coffee corresponds to ground coffee having a particle size distribution with at least 90% of the particles having an average size comprised between 100 μm and 3000 μm, preferably at least 85% of the particles having an average size comprised between 250 μm and 2000 μm.

[0018] A related object is to provide a compacted coffee tablet having a better distribution of at least a major part of the coffee mass relative to the main flow direction and thus a better extraction efficiency of said coffee mass.

[0019] According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a compacted coffee tablet, the majority of the coffee mass of which extends in a direction transverse to the main flow direction into an intermediate portion of the total outer dimension.

[0020] A related object is to provide a beverage preparation system having a compacted coffee tablet that provides further advantages for use as part of a beverage preparation system, such as espresso coffee.

[0021] The system may include at least one type of tablet and at least one type of separate portion comprising the tablet, wherein the type of tablet may vary in at least one of the mass of compacted coffee grounds, tablet volume, and configuration of at least one of an upstream-oriented portion and a downstream-oriented portion, and wherein the type of separate portion may vary in at least one of the inclusion or exclusion of a tablet cover and the material, type, shape, and size of the tablet cover.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing compacted coffee tablets corresponding to individual portions for preparing beverages such as espresso coffee, which method provides tablets with better compaction properties.

[0023] In particular, the method according to the present invention comprises using a compaction die and a punching tool configured to provide a tablet having an upstream oriented portion and a downstream oriented portion having at least one of: different volumetric sizes and different cavities. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The accompanying drawings show in a simplified schematic diagram:

[0026] Figure 1 : A top view of a first embodiment of a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2: Bottom view of a first embodiment of a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 : A side view of a first embodiment of a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 :according to Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tablet (1);

[0030] Figure 5 : A side view of a second embodiment of a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 :according to Figure 5 A side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tablet (1);

[0032] Figure 7 : A top view of a first embodiment of the upstream cavity (A) in a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 : A top view of a second embodiment of the upstream cavity (A) in the tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 : A side view of a first embodiment comprising a separate portion (10) of a first type of tablet (1) according to the invention;

[0035] Figure 10 : A side view of an embodiment of a second type of separate portion (10') comprising a second type of tablet (1') according to the invention;

[0036] Figure 11 : Flowchart of the production method of the tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 12 : Flowchart of a method for producing a separate portion (10) of a tablet (1) comprising the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figures 1 to 4 A representative view of a first embodiment of a tablet 1 according to the invention is reproduced.

[0039] Said tablet 1 corresponds to a volume of coffee grounds which has been compacted so as to retain a corresponding three-dimensional shape. Said volume corresponds to a regular geometric shape, including a geometric shape which is rotationally symmetric with respect to a central longitudinal axis XX.

[0040] In particular, the tablet 1 may have a quantity or mass of coffee grounds that have been previously roasted and compacted and have a suitable general shape and size so that the tablet 1 can be used as a separate portion 10 in the preparation of an aromatic beverage. In particular, the separate portion 10 is adapted to be able to be supplied to an extraction device and operated therein to prepare a coffee-based beverage, such as an espresso coffee.

[0041] The tablet 1 has a cross section with an overall width D T and is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal axis XX and is configured with an upstream portion 11 and a downstream portion 12 directed relative to the main flow direction and also with an intermediate portion 13 extending between said upstream portion 11 and downstream portion 12 and extending in the main flow direction over at least a large part of its extension along said total width D T extend.

[0042] As shown in the figures, the separate part 1 may have a substantially circular cross-section, so that the separate part 1 has a substantially disc-like shape or the like.

[0043] According to one aspect of the present invention, and in particular as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the upstream directional portion 12 has an upstream cavity B extending from the upstream directional surface of the upstream directional portion 12 in a central manner.

[0044] In particular, if Figure 4 As shown in the accompanying drawings, the downstream cavity B extends only along a portion of the transverse dimension of the downstream directed portion 12, so that the peripheral area of ​​the downstream cavity B has a portion extending along at least a roughly transverse direction to the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directed portion 12.

[0045] In terms of the structural resistance of the tablet, it is determined to be advantageous that the characteristic dimension (e.g., diameter) of the downstream cavity B in the downstream directing surface does not exceed 95%, preferably does not exceed 90%, of the corresponding characteristic dimension (e.g., diameter) measured on the same plane of the peripheral edge of the downstream directing surface of the downstream directing portion 12.

[0046] On the other hand, with regard to the extraction of the beverage, it has proven to be advantageous if the characteristic dimensions of the downstream cavity B are at least 40%, preferably at least 40%, of the characteristic dimensions of the downstream directed surface of said downstream directed portion 12 .

[0047] Advantageously, a cavity and a closed chamber are thereby provided, as well as at least one of the following: the wall of the packaging of the tablet 1 and the wall of the extraction device, in which the beverage produced downstream can temporarily accumulate. In addition, the downstream cavity B is configured to extend only along a portion of the downstream-oriented surface of the tablet 1, and not occupy its entire lateral extension.

[0048] In particular, said downstream directed portion 12 may have a peripheral area of ​​the downstream cavity B extending between the downstream cavity B and an outer peripheral area of ​​said downstream directed portion 12 along an at least substantially similar extension, preferably along an extension greater than that of the outer peripheral area.

[0049] Preferably, the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directional portion 12 has a width smaller than the total width D T lateral dimension, wherein the transition from the downstream directed portion 12 to said intermediate portion 13 preferably comprises a surface extending along at least substantially a transverse direction.

[0050] Furthermore, it is preferred that the outer edge of said downstream directed portion 12 is rounded with a radius of curvature comprised between 1 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm.

[0051] This advantageously provides an enhancement of the structural resistance of the tablet 1 when subjected to the hydraulic pressure of the pressurized extraction flow along the main flow direction, which is the maximum extension relative to the volume of the tablet 1, i.e. relative to the total width D T At least roughly orthogonal.

[0052] In the case of a preferred embodiment (not shown), the downstream directional portion 12 may have a peripheral area of ​​the downstream hollow cavity B having only a circular shape without a planar surface, and the downstream peripheral area is preferably constructed with a circular shape that is at least approximately connected to the downstream hollow cavity B in a continuous curve.

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, the upstream oriented portion 11 may have at least one upstream cavity A, which may extend in a central manner. The upstream cavity A may extend up to the intermediate portion 13 and further extend into the interior of the intermediate portion 13 in order to promote the initial penetration of the pressurized fluid into the compacted coffee volume.

[0054] According to another aspect of the present invention, Figure 3 As can be seen in the figure, the tablet 1 is constructed so that the bulk of the compacted coffee is located transversely to the total width D T The area extending in the intermediate portion 13 and in which the second smaller partial volume of the compacted coffee lies transversely to the total width D TThe area in which the dimension extends is included in the upstream directional portion 11.

[0055] Furthermore, it is very advantageous if the total width D of the tablet 1 T The relationship between the total height H is at most 5, preferably at most 4.

[0056] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the intermediate portion 13 extends along the total height H of the tablet 1. T and said intermediate portion 13 is configured with an angled peripheral transition, in particular a reduction in width, towards said upstream portion 11 and downstream portion 12, preferably comprising an angle of at least approximately 90°.

[0057] This provides a greater structural resistance to compacting the coffee tablet. Furthermore, this provides that a greater relative portion of the total coffee mass is along the maximum transverse dimension D T Exposure to the main brewing flow direction, thereby contributing to greater extraction efficiency of the coffee beverage.

[0058] Figure 3 and Figure 4 represents a first embodiment of a tablet 1 according to the invention, wherein the upstream directed portion 11 has an upstream cavity A extending only over said upstream directed portion 11 and not downstream to the area of ​​the intermediate portion 13, while Figure 5 and Figure 6 A second embodiment of a tablet 1' according to the invention is shown in which the upstream cavity A extends downstream to the region of the intermediate portion 13. In the first case, the upstream cavity A may have a cylindrical shape, while in the second case it may have a conical shape.

[0059] It has proven to be advantageous if the downstream cavity B has a hemispherical, spherical cap or oval shape.

[0060] Furthermore, the second embodiment provides a tablet 1 ′ having an overall height H′ greater than the overall height H of the tablet 1 of the first embodiment.

[0061] In particular, the beverage preparation system according to the invention may comprise at least two types of tablets 1, 1' having different heights H and similar heights H of the upstream and downstream parts. 11 、H 12 , so that only the height H of the corresponding intermediate part is changed 13 It is further preferred that tablets 1, 1' of the type described have a similar overall diameter D T .

[0062] The tablet 1 according to the invention has an amount of roasted and ground coffee beans compacted in a compacting method comprising providing said amount of previously roasted and ground coffee beans to a compacting die having an internal shape and dimensions corresponding to the tablet 1 according to the invention.

[0063] Said amount of coffee grounds is advantageously comprised between 4 and 8 grams, preferably between 5 and 7 grams, particularly preferably between 5.3 and 6.7 grams, while said amount of coffee grounds has a moisture content comprised between 1 and 5% by mass, preferably between 2 and 4% by mass.

[0064] Furthermore, it has proven to be particularly advantageous in the tests that have been carried out if the amount of coffee corresponds to granular coffee having a particle size distribution in which at least 90% of the particles have an average size comprised between 100 μm and 3000 μm, preferably at least 85% of the particles have an average size comprised between 250 μm and 2000 μm.

[0065] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Two preferred embodiments of the upstream cavity A provided on the upstream directional surface of the upstream directional portion 11 are shown.

[0066] When viewed in plan view, the at least one upstream cavity A may advantageously have an outer perimeter corresponding to a geometric shape different from a circle. In particular, the shape may correspond to at least one of: a polygon and an open line (not shown in the figures).

[0067] It has proven advantageous if the upstream cavity A extends along at least one closed path defined by an outer periphery and an inner periphery, both of which extend at the surface of the upstream surface of said upstream oriented portion 11. Thus, the upstream cavity A can provide a preferential entry zone for the upstream pressurized flow, facilitating the crosswise orientation of the compacted coffee tablet 1.

[0068] In the case of the embodiment shown, the upstream cavity A may delimit the cavity between an outer periphery and an inner periphery, wherein the outer periphery and the inner periphery may advantageously have at least approximately similar geometries, as seen in top view.

[0069] Among beverage preparation systems known in the prior art, it is known to use a beverage preparation device adapted to enable collection of individual portions of, for example, roast and ground coffee in order to prepare a beverage, for example an espresso coffee.

[0070] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Two types of individual portions 10, 10' are shown comprising compacted coffee tablets 1, 1'.

[0071] exist Figure 9 In the case of the first type shown in , the individual portion 10 comprises a compacted coffee tablet 1, in particular a tablet 1 having a general configuration according to the invention, and a cover 2 in the form of an edible coating which provides gas barrier properties and which is dissolvable when exposed to a temperature of at least 50° C., preferably at least 60° C. The edible coating is advantageously provided in a layer of at least approximately uniform configuration around the entire outer surface of the tablet 1, preferably such that the edible coating at least approximately follows the contour surface of at least one of the respective upstream and downstream cavities A, B, which are also coated by the edible coating.

[0072] exist Figure 10 In the case of the second type shown, the separate portion 10 ′ has a tablet 1 and a cover of inedible material, in particular synthetic material, provided so as to delimit the cavities A, B but not to follow their contours.

[0073] In this case, the downstream cavity B advantageously provides an extraction chamber, and the cover 2 is preferably configured at least on the upstream side so that the beverage flow accumulated on the downstream cavity B is temporarily retained against the retention of the cover 2 until a previously defined pressure value is reached. Several embodiments of covers of this type are known in the prior art, so that a more detailed description thereof will be omitted in this case.

[0074] In the case of the method for producing a compacted coffee tablet 1 according to the invention, see Figure 11 , a predetermined amount of pre-roasted and ground coffee beans is evenly divided and supplied to multiple molds of a compactor.

[0075] The amount of roasted and ground coffee beans is comprised between 4 and 8 grams, preferably between 5 and 7 grams, particularly preferably between 5.3 and 6.7 grams.

[0076] In tests that have been carried out, it has been shown to be particularly advantageous if the amount of coffee grounds has a moisture content by mass comprised between 1% and 5%, preferably between 2% and 4% by mass.

[0077] After supplying said amount of roasted and ground coffee beans, a plurality of consecutive compacting cycles are applied, wherein the compaction force is comprised between 4 kN and 6 kN, preferably between 4.5 kN and 5.5 kN.

[0078] The compaction force can be applied in two different directions by means of two punching tools.

[0079] The compacting die and punching tool may be configured to provide a tablet 1 having an upstream oriented portion 11 and a downstream oriented portion 12 having at least one of: different volumetric sizes and different corresponding cavities A, B.

[0080] The process according to the invention makes it possible to obtain tablets 1 having a friability corresponding to a hardness comprised between 10N and 20N, preferably between 13N and 17N.

[0081] Figure 12 represents the steps of a complementary production process comprising individual portions 10 of tablets 1 according to the invention.

[0082] In particular, the method comprises supplying at least one, preferably a plurality of tablets 1 according to the invention to a first cover portion 2 adapted to interact with a downstream directed portion 12 of the tablet 1 .

[0083] Lisbon, November 20, 2020

Claims

1. A tablet for preparing aromatic beverages, The tablet (1) presents a certain volume and a certain amount of compacted ground coffee, The tablet (1) has a side cross-section having a total width (D T ) and having a generally symmetrical shape with respect to a central longitudinal axis (XX), The tablet (1) has an upstream oriented portion (11) and a downstream oriented portion (12) with respect to the main flow direction, and also an intermediate portion (13) between the upstream oriented portion (11) and the downstream oriented portion (12) and extending along the total width (D T )extend, The tablet (1) is characterized in that The intermediate portion (13) is located along the total height (H) of the tablet (1). T ) most of the extension, and The tablet (1) is configured to have at least one of the following: - the bulk of the volume of the compacted ground coffee is located transversely extending up to the total width (D T ), including on said intermediate portion (13); - a second smaller portion of the volume of compacted ground coffee is located laterally extending until greater than the total width (D T ) in an area of ​​small size, including on said upstream directional portion (11); - the total width (D T ) and the total height (H T ) is at most 5:1, and The downstream directed portion has a downstream cavity (B), which is constructed such that: the diameter of the downstream cavity (B) measured on the downstream directed surface of the downstream directed portion (12) does not exceed 95% of the corresponding diameter measured on the same plane of the peripheral edge of the downstream directed surface of the downstream directed portion (12) adjacent to the intermediate portion (13), thereby enhancing the structural resistance of the tablet (1) when subjected to the hydraulic pressure of the pressurized extraction flow along the main flow direction, and at the same time the diameter of the downstream cavity (B) is at least 40% of the diameter of the downstream directed surface of the downstream directed portion (12), thereby contributing to the extraction efficiency of the coffee beverage.

2. The tablet according to claim 1, characterized in that The intermediate portion (13) is configured to transition peripherally at an angle toward the upstream-directed portion (11) and the downstream-directed portion (12).

3. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The tablet (1) has at least one of the following shape relationships: - having an asymmetrical configuration in terms of its geometry relative to a central transverse plane (YY), such that the intermediate portion (13) extends in a non-uniform manner relative to the central transverse plane; - having an asymmetrical configuration in terms of the total mass relative to the central transverse plane (YY), such that the mass fraction upstream of said intermediate portion (13) is different from the mass fraction downstream of said intermediate portion (13).

4. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The tablet (1) has at least one of the following structures: - the outer side edge of the upstream oriented portion (11) defines a transverse dimension that is smaller than the total width (D T ), wherein the transition of the upstream directed portion (11) to the intermediate portion (13) comprises an upstream directed peripheral surface, and - the upstream directed portion (11) has a surface extending at least substantially transversely with respect to the main flow direction along at least a large part of the extension of the upstream directed portion (11), - the outer side edge of the upstream directed portion (11) lies in a plane inclined at an angle (α) of at least 65° and at most 85° with respect to the main flow direction.

5. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The tablet (1) has at least one of the following size relationships: -Total height (H T ) between 5 mm and 10 mm inclusive; - the height (H) of the upstream directional portion (11) 11 ) is at most 2 mm; - the height (H) of the downstream directional portion (12) 12 ) is at least 2 mm and at most 4 mm; - the height (H) of the intermediate portion (13) 13 ) is at most 7 mm, and The tablet (1) has a particle size distribution such that at least 90% of the particles have an average size comprised between at least 100 μm and at most 3000 μm.

6. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The tablet (1) has at least one of the following size relationships: -Total width (D T ) between 30 mm and 44 mm inclusive; - the maximum lateral extension of the upstream cavity (A) is comprised between 5 mm and 40 mm; The maximum lateral extension of the downstream cavity (B) is comprised between 20 mm and 30 mm.

7. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Along a portion of the transverse dimension of the downstream directed portion (12), the downstream cavity (B) extends in a central manner and the downstream directed portion (12) has a curved surface when viewed in a side cutaway view, so that the peripheral area of ​​the downstream cavity (B) has a portion extending along at least approximately the transverse plane up to the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directed portion (12).

8. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The downstream directional portion (12) is configured to have at least one of the following: - the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directed portion (12) comprises a curved surface when viewed in a transverse side cutaway view, - said peripheral area of ​​said downstream hollow cavity (B) extends between said curved surface of said downstream hollow cavity (B) and the curved surface of said outer peripheral area of ​​said downstream directed portion (12), and - the downstream directed portion (12) has a peripheral area of ​​the downstream cavity (B) in an extension at least substantially similar to the extension of the outer peripheral area, which peripheral area extends between the downstream cavity (B) and the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directed portion (12).

9. The tablet according to claim 8, characterized in that The downstream directional portion (12) is configured to have at least one of the following: - the lateral dimensions of the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream oriented portion (12) are smaller than the total width (D T ),as well as - said outer peripheral edge of said downstream directed portion (12) is rounded when viewed in a transverse side cutaway view.

10. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The downstream cavity (B) is configured to have: In the total width (D T ) has a hemispherical shape extending between at least 50% and at most 75% of the ).

11. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The upstream directional portion (11) has at least one upstream cavity (A) arranged in a central manner, and the at least one upstream cavity (A) is capable of extending at least as far as the intermediate portion (13), and The at least one upstream cavity (A) occupies a linear shape defining an area.

12. The tablet according to claim 6, characterized in that The upstream cavity (A) and the downstream cavity (B) have at least one of the following size relationships: - the upstream cavity (A) and the downstream cavity (B) have different cavity volumes; - said upstream cavity (A) and said downstream cavity (B) have different lateral extensions; - the upstream cavity (A) and the downstream cavity (B) have different configurations; - At least one of the upstream cavity (A) and the downstream cavity (B) extends at least as far as the vicinity of the intermediate portion (13).

13. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The transition areas from the upstream directed portion (11) and the downstream directed portion (12) to the intermediate portion (13) in each case comprise a surface extending in the transverse direction and forming at least approximately a right angle with the outer wall of the intermediate portion (13).

14. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The amount of coffee grounds is comprised between 4 grams and 8 grams, and Said amount of coffee grounds has a moisture content by mass comprised between 1 and 5%.

15. The tablet according to claim 14, characterized in that Said amount of coffee grounds corresponds to granular coffee having a particle size distribution such that at least 90% of the particles have an average size comprised between 100 μm and 3000 μm.

16. The tablet according to claim 2, characterized in that The intermediate portion (13) configures a peripheral transition towards the upstream oriented portion (11) and the downstream oriented portion (12) at an angle of at least 90°.

17. The tablet according to claim 2, characterized in that The peripheral transition is of reduced width.

18. The tablet according to claim 3, characterized in that The mass fraction upstream of the intermediate portion (13) is greater than the mass fraction downstream of the intermediate portion (13).

19. The tablet according to claim 5, characterized in that The tablet (1) has a particle size distribution such that at least 85% of the particles have a mean size of at least 250 μm and at most 2000 μm.

20. The tablet according to claim 6, characterized in that The maximum lateral extension is the maximum diameter.

21. The tablet according to claim 8, characterized in that The surface extends from the vicinity of the peripheral region of the downstream cavity (B) to the intermediate portion (13).

22. The tablet according to claim 8, characterized in that The downstream directed portion (12) has a peripheral area of ​​the downstream cavity (B) in an extension that is smaller than the extension of the outer peripheral area.

23. The tablet according to claim 9, characterized in that The transition of the downstream directed portion (12) to the intermediate portion (13) comprises a surface extending in at least a generally transverse direction.

24. The tablet according to claim 9, characterized in that The outer peripheral edge of the downstream directed portion (12) presents an at least substantially circular curvature with a radius of curvature comprised between 1 mm and 6 mm.

25. The tablet according to claim 12, wherein The volume of the downstream cavity (B) is greater than the volume of the upstream cavity (A), the lateral extension of the downstream cavity (B) is greater than the lateral extension of the upstream cavity (A), at least the upstream cavity (A) does not have a rotationally symmetrical structure relative to the central longitudinal axis (XX).

26. A system for preparing a beverage, the system comprising: - comprising a separate portion (10) of a tablet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 25, - a device comprising injection means of a pressurized stream capable of impinging on an upstream directed portion (11) of said separate portion (10) inside the extraction device, enabling said beverage to be collected downstream of said downstream directed portion (12); It is characterized in that The system comprises at least one type of tablet and at least one type of separate portion comprising said tablet, wherein the type of tablet is capable of varying in at least one of: the mass of the compacted coffee grounds, the volume of the compacted tablet, and the configuration of at least one of the upstream directed portion (11) and the downstream directed portion (12), and In this case, individual parts of the type described can vary in at least one of the following respects: the inclusion or exclusion of a tablet cover.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein: In case the individual parts of said type comprise tablet covers, the individual parts of said type can vary in at least one of the following respects: material, type, shape and size of the tablet covers.

28. The system according to claim 27, wherein: The individual portion (10) comprises a tablet (1) which can be arranged inside a cover (2) having gas barrier properties, the cover comprising at least one of the following: - a cover (2) made of edible material, provided as a coating of the tablet (1) and capable of following the contours of at least one of the upstream cavity (A) and the downstream cavity (B); - a cover (2) made of an inedible material, said inedible material being a synthetic material, said cover being arranged so as to define a contiguous space that does not follow the contours of the shape of said upstream cavity (A) and said downstream cavity (B), and Wherein, the cover (2) can comprise at least one cover support, wherein the cover support comprises at least one of the following: - a single separate part (10); - a plurality of individual parts (10) arranged continuously along the extension of the cover support.

29. The system according to any one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that The individual portions are adapted to provide identification of at least one characteristic associated with the upstream directed portion (11) and the downstream directed portion (12), including identification by at least one of: by a user, by mechanical means feeding the individual portions to an extraction device (21), and by an automatic identification device.

30. The system according to any one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that The system comprises at least two types of tablets, the tablets differing in at least one of the following: - the external volume of the tablet; - the mass of the compacted ground coffee of the tablet; - the extension of the intermediate portion (13) along the main flow direction (H 13 ); - The dimensions of the downstream cavity (B).

31. The system according to claim 28, wherein: The cover support member is a folded support member.

32. The system according to claim 30, wherein: The dimensions of the downstream cavity (B) include the extension of the downstream cavity (B) along the main flow direction.

33. A method for producing individual portions (10) comprising a coffee tablet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 25, It is characterized by: The method comprises the following steps: - supplying predetermined similar amounts of roasted and ground coffee beans to a plurality of compacting dies arranged in a compacting device, wherein said amount of ground coffee is comprised between 4 grams and 8 grams, wherein said amount of ground coffee has a moisture content by mass comprised between 1% and 5%, - applying a plurality of consecutive compaction cycles to the mould; wherein the compacting die and the punching tool are configured to provide a tablet (1) having an upstream oriented portion (11) and a downstream oriented portion (12), the upstream oriented portion and the downstream oriented portion having at least one of: different volumes and different cavities; - A tablet (1) is obtained having a friability corresponding to a hardness comprised between 10 N and 20 N.

34. The method according to claim 33, It is characterized by: in, Said amount of ground coffee corresponds to ground coffee having a particle size distribution such that at least 90% of the particles have a mean size comprised between 100 μm and 3000 μm.

35. The method according to claim 33 or 34, It is characterized by: After obtaining the tablet (1) having a hardness comprised between 10N and 20N, the method further comprises the following steps: - providing at least one of the tablets (1) to a first cover portion, the first cover portion being adapted to be arranged on one side of a downstream orientation portion (12) so that the tablets are collected successively in the corresponding preformed cavities along the extension of the first cover portion; - providing a second cover portion, which is adapted to be arranged on one side of the upstream directional portion (11); - providing a seal between said first cover portion and said second cover portion of the cover (2).

36. The method according to claim 33 or 34, It is characterized by: After obtaining the tablet (1) having a hardness comprised between 10N and 20N, the method further comprises the following steps: - providing an edible coating as a cover (2) of said tablet (1) to obtain individual portions (10); - providing the individual portions (10) to a package without a material having gas barrier properties.

37. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that The method comprises the steps of applying to the mould a plurality of successive compaction cycles at a compaction force comprised between 4 kN and 6 kN.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that The compaction force is applied in two different directions by means of two punching tools.

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