You may have heard of 3D printing as a method to makemini models or medical equipment but it is now being used as a method to cook food..

What is it?

3D-printed food quite literally. Special kinds of 3D printers have been developed to make beautiful and edible materials, and may very well be paving the way for the future of food.

Why haven’t I heard of it until now?

3D printing is still a relatively new technology, and is only just beginning to make it’s way out of the ultra-high tech world and into the consumer world.

Though still limited, innovators are already making a huge range of foods, from amazing confection constructions to pizzas and brownies (though you still need to cook the dough).

One particularly brilliant innovation is Smoothfoods, pureed foods for people with difficulty eating that are considerably more appetising than many alternatives.

Is it good for me?

Yes – just because it sounds like utter science-fiction, it doesn’t mean it’s made of weird chemical mush. The majority of products so far are simply real food materials, bonded and shaped with the 3d printer. However, the majority of products so far are sugar- and chocolate-based, so guess it depends on what you go for.

How much will it cost?

This is likely one of those things that will hit the high-end gourmet restaurant circuit first, which means it will be pricey, but the ultimate goal is to provide food solutions that will answer some of our biggest food problems globally.

What does it taste like?

The same as any other food made from the same basic ingredients, hopefully!