A Cambridge, UK-based design company called Dovetailed is developing a 3D fruit printer, unveiling it at the Tech Food Hack event in Cambridge. The machine was developed in partnership with Microsoft Research Cambridge.
The 3D fruit printer is said to utilize "a molecular-gastronomy technique called spherification that combines individual droplets with different flavors into a fruit shape."
The process likely involves combining fruit juice or puree with sodium alginate and dripping the mixture into a bowl of cold calcium chloride. This causes the mixture droplets to form into tiny spheres, which can be mixed from spheres from other fruits. The blended spheres can then be pressed or formed into fruit-like shapes.
The developers claim that the machine can 3D-print existing types of fruit like apples or pears as well as user-invented combined fruits in a matter of seconds, with the taste, texture, size and shape of each fruit completely customizable.
Fruit-Producing 3D Printers
The 3D Fruit Printer Can Print Existing Fruits & Unique Combined Fruit
Trend Themes
1. 3D Fruit Printing - The development of 3D fruit printing technology and technique utilizing spherification opens up opportunities for customizable fruit production.
2. Molecular-gastronomy Techniques - Incorporating molecular-gastronomy techniques such as spherification into food production presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the culinary industry.
3. Customizable Food Production - The rise of 3D-printed, customizable food production offers opportunities for innovation in food product development, particularly for personalized nutrition.
Industry Implications
1. Printing and Imaging - The printing and imaging industry includes 3D printing technology companies poised to leverage this innovation opportunity in customizable food production.
2. Food and Beverage - Incorporating customizable 3D-printing methods into food production may disrupt conventional food and beverage processing techniques and offer innovation and growth opportunities.
3. Culinary Arts - The culinary arts industry can leverage molecular-gastronomy techniques for innovative food creation and reinvention.