Pod for beverage preparation ingredient

A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation, the pod comprising:

• a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, the body comprising:
• a closed surface having a central axis;
• and
• a side wall disposed around the central axis, extending from the closed surface in a direction away from the closed surface;
• wherein an edge of the side wall distal from the closed surface defines a dispensing side of the body;
• a closing member for closing the dispensing side and sealing the cavity;
• and
• an actuation member provided radially outwards of the side wall, the actuation member being configured to exert a force on the closing member to cause an opening to be formed between the cavity and a region outside of the pod around the perimeter of the wall at the dispensing side.

A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation, the pod comprising:

• a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending between the dispensing side and the closed side;
• a closing member for closing the dispensing side;
• an actuation column extending through the cavity from the closed surface towards the dispensing side of the body;
• wherein the pod has a first configuration and a second configuration;
• in the first configuration the closing member is attached to the body and seals the cavity;
• in the second configuration an opening is provided around the perimeter of the at least one side wall at a junction between the closing member at the at least one side wall;
• and
• wherein the pod transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration when the actuation column is actuated and exerts a force on the closing member to cause the opening to be formed between said cavity and a region outside of the pod.