Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a process in which an object is created layer by successive layer to form a whole. Until now, 3D printers have created things from plastic, resin, metal, and even chocolate. As technology advances, so will the ability to print from other materials and material combinations. This will have serious implications for many industries, including some very exciting possibilities for the food industry.
How 3D Food Printers Work
Simply put, you get what you put in. Food can be divided into three main components: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Someday, the technology will be advanced enough to simply put a custom number of these nutritional categories on the printer, add custom flavors, and choose a type of food to print.
If you want a high protein pasta, you need to insert the raw ingredients, tell the printer the proportion of protein you want, click the pasta button and press print. Seasonings and sauces will be prepared similarly. With the development of bioprinting it is conceivable that you could even print organic food like an apple or an orange. For all you meat lovers, don’t worry, the meat is already being printed and is reportedly as delicious as what you are used to.
As for the taste of printed foods, there is no reason for them to taste different from “normal” foods. It is made with the same ingredients, the only difference is how it is assembled. In fact, due to the high levels of customization that 3D printing offers, people can get exactly the flavor that satisfies them the most.
This process can be as time-saving for households as the invention of the washing machine. To make a meal you just have to load the ingredients, select the desired meal and click print. This expedited process is sure to save people tons of time when they would otherwise be cooking.
In the future, 3D printers will be able to print at the molecular level. When this day comes, food printing can become as complex as one is willing to program.
Personalized nutrition
Perhaps the most useful aspect of food printing is its nutritional capacity. Because you can directly control what you put in your food, you can also control the nutritional properties of your food. In addition to protein, carbohydrates, and fat, custom amounts of vitamins and minerals can also be added to the mix.
If you are an athlete who needs a diet high in protein and carbohydrates, all you have to do is tell your printer the proportions of what you want. Seniors who need a low carb, high calcium diet can get these specs with the click of a button. Pregnant women can get all the Omega 3’s they need as long as they remember to add the right amount to the printer.
The benefits of food printing are immense. People will easily be able to set their own diets for exactly what their body needs. This will effectively reduce obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Food design
Food printing will also revolutionize food design. With a variety of different printing methods, new shapes and textures can be created that could never have been done before. Creating food into shapes will become a whole new specialty art, or it could just be a fun family project. The ability to create new textures will change the eating experience and increase food building possibilities.
Special dietary needs
Food printing will be extremely beneficial for those with special dietary needs. Those who do not contain gluten will have easier access to a greater number of food options. If you don’t put gluten in the printer, you won’t eat any and the food options will be just as numerous. Vegetarians, vegans, and others who have dietary restrictions will also benefit from food printing.
For those who like to put certain ingredients in food but find it difficult or time-consuming to do so, this technology can be helpful. For example, an athlete who prefers whey protein after workouts will delight in the fact that you can control what type of protein you can put on your printer.
