3D Printed Food

Update 5/30/14: A European company is now working on 3D printing not just candy, but actual foods. FastCoExist.com reports that Bizoon, a German food company, is attempting to print everything from broccoli to chicken, using a method of blending the food down into a 3D printable material. The project, which is still a long ways from completion (estimates say the end of 2015), is focused on nursing homes and those with conditions that prevent them from eating solid foods. Rather than endure the current fare, which is basically food blended down into a paste, the technology would allow for these processed foods to appear more like their original forms. Source: FastCoExist.com Update 1/15/14: It is now being reported that Hershey's chocolate has partnered with 3D systems to create 3D printed Hershey's prodcuts, which, as The Verge points out, makes the chocolate giant the first major food company to embrace 3D printed goods. It will be interesting to see what products this partnership brings about, but one thing is certain: with Hershey's money behind the project, things are sure to get interesting quickly! Technology has been creeping into restaurants and home kitchens for some time now, promising to make our usual tasks both quicker and easier. The latest in a round of novel cooking tech are 3D printers. Normally these machines use plastic materials that are layered using precise motors and dispensers, to create everything from shoes to phone cases, and even personalized action figures. Their latest endeavor? To take over a space on your kitchen countertop. While 2013 brought us the idea, 2014 looks to be the year that 3D food printers actually make it into the hands of chefs and consumers alike. A few new companies have recently introduced a number of incredible machines, some aiming to reduce prep and cook times, others hoping to make a splash by creating exciting new treats. Foodini is a 3D printer that accepts ingredients prepared by blender or food processor, the mixture is then fed through special print heads to form different shapes. This machine aims to help out the home cook, with a compact footprint and simple do-it-yourself recipes available for beginners. The printer is capable of producing things ranging from animal shaped cookies, to 3D printed raviolis. Foodini's website features an online database of recipes, and users can also create their own. The machine costs $1,300 and will be available in mid 2014, though they are accepting preorders now. Another 3D printer, one with a far different goal, targets candy and chocolate lovers. The printers are produced by a company called 3D Systems, and there are two units available. The first, simply called ChefJet, is capable of producing single flavor candies and chocolate in elaborate shapes such as cubes and octagonal spheres, using either flavored sugar or milk chocolate. The second printer in the line up, the ChefJet Pro, is the flagship model and adds some creative capabilities. In addition to being able to produce individual candies of multiple flavors, the Pro model can also use multiple colors to produce elaborate patterns. 3D Systems notes that the Pro model is even capable of producing personalized bride and groom figures for topping wedding cakes, complete with the facial features of the couple to be. Tech reporting website The Verge reports that the candies do actually taste good, and have a flavor that is similar to Lucky Charms marshmallows. The ChefJet will retail for under $5000, while the Pro model will be priced under $10,000. Both options will be available in the second half of 2014. One machine, which actually is a one off created for a friends birthday party, is made from recycled CD & DVD drive parts to create a 3D printer that injects shapes into jello shots. Jeroen Domburg, a software developer in the Netherlands, created the fun machine, which uses a mixture of banana liquor, food coloring and cornstarch to add some creative touches to your jello shots. While it does not appear that Domburg has plans to market the idea, he has made the software and hardware designs open source, so the tech savvy host can create their own version. What is your take on 3D printed food? Let us know what you think via Facebook, Google +, LinkedIn or Twitter, and be sure to send pictures of your favorite printed treats. Source: The Verge, Mashable, Food + Tech Connect Image Credit: 3D Systems