Descaling device for a beverage machine and method of descaling a beverage machine

A method of descaling flow passages of a pod beverage machine, comprising:

• providing a descaling pod, comprising:
• a container having a bottom wall and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall, the sidewall defining an opening at a top of the container, wherein the container is configured to be received by the beverage machine;
• an absorbent material disposed within the container adjacent to the bottom wall, wherein the absorbent material is configured to retard the flow of water therethrough, wherein the absorbent material occupies between about 50 percent to about 75 percent of a total volume of the container;
• a descaler disposed within the container, wherein at least a portion of the descaler is disposed on a surface of the absorbing material opposite the bottom wall;
• and
• a cover over the opening of the container;
• inserting the descaling pod into the beverage machine comprising a first needle and a second needle, and causing the first needle to pierce the cover of the descaling pod and the second needle to pierce the bottom wall of the descaling pod;
• activating the beverage machine, wherein the activation causes water to be injected into the pod through the first needle;
• dissolving the descaler in the water to form a descaling solution, wherein at least a portion of the descaling solution is absorbed by the absorbent material;
• and
• descaling the first needle and the second needle.