Bulk ingredient batching

An ingredient preparation and batching system for use with a liquid bottling line, the ingredient preparation and batching system comprising:

• a first pre-mix station including a first holding tank configured to store a first hydrated ingredient;
• a second pre-mix station including a second holding tank configured to store a second hydrated ingredient different from the first hydrated ingredient;
• and
• a batch tank fluidly coupled to the first pre-mix station and the second pre-mix station, the batch tank configured to
• receive a predetermined quantity of the first hydrated ingredient from the first holding tank,
• receive a predetermined quantity of the second hydrated ingredient from the second holding tank, and
• store a batch of a liquid product comprising the first hydrated ingredient and the second hydrated ingredient.

A method of preparing a batch of a liquid product for a bottling line, the method comprising:

• hydrating a major ingredient at a pre-mix station to produce a hydrated major ingredient;
• storing the hydrated major ingredient in a holding tank of the pre-mix station;
• conveying the hydrated major ingredient from the holding tank to a batch tank;
• and
• combining the hydrated major ingredient with a minor ingredient within the batch tank to produce a batch.