3D printing Culinary style
Technology is moving at an amazing rate. Everyday new advance in many varied fields are announced to the public. The public is left wondering what they will think of next. An overlooked, but not for long, technological item is 3Dprinted food. While many people are familiar with the idea of 3d printing of such things as models, few realize the potential beyond those types of items. Many might think the concept can only work in science fiction novels or even only children’s cartoons. People are surprised to see that printing technology has advanced to such a degree that the possibility of using a printer to make culinary grade food is now more and more a reality to expect. A recent viral Youtube video has captured the imagination of many by showcasing what possibly may be in store in the immediate future.
After watching the video many are left asking the question” How does this amazing technology work? “There are many well respected 3D printing manufactures and universities working on this technology, so there is a variety of techniques, however there are some common process.” In general the 3d food printer has storage containers for the various food ingredients that are robotically controlled and infused together at the printing module. After infusion the 3D printing unit manipulates the ingredients into a pleasing and in some instance artistic shape. The possibilities are endless. Meat and vegetables can be transformed into pieces of art or into easily stored versions of themselves. The need for many cooking utensils could very well become a thing of the past since the food is wholly prepared in the unit alone.
A benefit that is already coming to the fore with this technology is using the real time information that this type of food generation can provide. Since the items are being made by the printer, it will be possible to have exact knowledge of such vital pieces of nutritional information as calories fat content.