Beverage cartridge and filter assembly

A laminated filter structure for subdividing a beverage cartridge to form a brewing chamber, said laminated filter structure comprising:

• a first filter element having a first outer edge portion, the first filter element being comprised of a first material;
• a second filter element having a second outer edge portion, the second filter element being comprised of a second material, the second material differing from the first material;
• a seal provided between said first outer edge portion and said second outer edge portion;
• and
• wherein said second filter element has a higher wet strength than said first filter element and said second filter element is located downstream of said first filter element.

A beverage cartridge comprising:

• a container having a sidewall extending from a first surface and a lip provided at an open end of the container;
• a cover coupled to the lip of the container to cover the open end and seal the container;
• a sloped step formed in the sidewall;
• a filter coupled to the sloped step, the filter subdividing the container to form a brewing chamber and a beverage receiving chamber;
• and
• a beverage powder contained in the brewing chamber,
• wherein said container is pierceable to allow injection of liquid into the brewing chamber and to allow prepared beverage to be extracted from the container.