A blender (10) is disclosed having a housing (12) with a lower portion (16) and an intermediate portion (15), the lower portion (16) being movable in relation to the intermediate portion (15) to permit the housing (12) to be extended during use. The housing (12) encloses a motor (17) and a shaft (22) extending axially in the housing (12). The shaft has a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is coupled to and rotated by the motor (17), and the second part is slidably coupled to a blending blade structure (36, 38). A coupler (48) links the blending blade structure (36, 38) to the lower portion (16) of the housing (12), to enable the blending blade structure (36, 38) to move axially in tandem with the lower portion (16) of the housing (12).