Vending machine for coffee-based beverage

A vending machine wherein at least one beverage precursor is used for the production of a beverage, the vending machine comprising a cabinet in which there are housed:

• at least one storage volume, for containing the at least one beverage precursor,
• a brewing unit, set downstream of an outlet of the at least one storage volume and configured for receiving an amount of the at least one beverage precursor, wherein between the outlet of the at least one storage volume and an inlet of the brewing unit, a grinder is optionally provided,
• a supply arrangement, configured to supply an extraction fluid, such as hot water, to the brewing unit,
• a dispensing arrangement of the beverage, set downstream of an outlet of the brewing unit,
• at least a part of a cooling arrangement, configured form cooling the at least one beverage precursor contained in the at least one storage volume,
• wherein the brewing unit is configured for preparing the beverage via the interaction between the amount of precursor and the extraction fluid, and the dispensing arrangement is configured for dispensing the beverage outside the cabinet,
• wherein the at least one storage volume comprises an inner container, for receiving and storing the at least one beverage precursor, and said at least a part of the cooling arrangement comprises a first outer casing which surrounds at least partially the inner container, between the inner container and the first outer casing at least a part of a first gap being defined, having at least one inlet and at least one outlet,
• and wherein the cooling arrangement further includes a refrigeration unit, preferably positioned inside the cabinet, having at least a first outlet for a flow of cooled air, connected via at least one first delivery duct to the at least one inlet of the first gap, and at least a first inlet for a flow of air to be cooled, connected via at least a first return duct to the at least one outlet of the first gap.