Rapidly cooling food and drinks

A system for producing a single serving of a cooled food or drink, the system comprising:

• a pod comprising:
• a container having a sidewall and a base attached to the sidewall, the base and the sidewall together defining an interior of the pod, an inside surface of the base comprising a rim;
• and
• a mixing paddle disposed within the pod, the mixing paddle having a first end comprising at least one notch configured to receive the rim of the base,
• wherein at least a portion of the mixing paddle extends into a recess defined by the rim of the base when the at least one notch receives the rim of the base;
• and
• a machine comprising:
• an evaporator defining a recess sized to receive the pod;
• a first motor operable to rotate the mixing paddle of the pod to mix at least ingredient of the pod to produce the single serving of the cooled food or drink;
• and
• a second motor that is operable to open a portion of the base.

A method for producing a single serving of a cooled food or drink, the method comprising:

• inserting a pod into a recess of an evaporator of a machine for providing the single serving of the cooled food or drink;
• cooling the recess with a refrigeration system of the machine thereby cooling the pod;
• rotating a mixing paddle within the pod, the rotation of the mixing paddle causing at least one notch of the mixing paddle to rotate along a rim of a base of the pod to mix the at least ingredient within the pod to produce the single serving of the cooled food or drink;
• and
• dispensing the cooled food or drink through an opening located on the base of the pod,
• wherein at least a portion of the mixing paddle extends into a recess defined by the rim of the base while the at least one notch rotates along the rim of the base of the pod.