Italian bioengineer Giuseppe Scionti from Spanish startup Novameat has invented the “world’s first” 3D-printed meat-free steak made from vegetable proteins, which mimics the texture of beef. It is printed in layers to mimic muscle fibers.
Vegan ingredients such as rice, peas and seaweed, which provide the amino acids needed for a healthy diet, are turned into a food paste that is 3D-printed to form a raw, steak-like substance.
Despite an abundance of meat-free products already on the market that taste similar to animal meats, Scionti found that these are limited to imitation burgers, chicken nuggets or meatballs. None of the offerings reproduce a piece of “fibrous flesh” such as chicken breast.
Taking only 20 minutes to print a plant-based steak, Scionti calls his machine a personal Nespresso. The cost is around the same price as an actual steak in the grocery store. 1 kilo or just over 2 pounds equals $30. Steaks made from plant-based materials are not the only thing Scionti is printing.
Imagine a future where somebody can have this machine at home and create customized food in their kitchen, next to your coffeemaker- you have your 3D meat printer and you can print your own eggs for breakfast 😉
Reference- The Guardian, Futurism, Dezeen, Novameat website