By: Jason Shen

Scientists from New York’s Columbia University 3d printed an edible cheesecake. While scientists have been able to create electronic devices, jewelry, and even artificial organs they have not been able to print food that’s edible immediately after printing.

In the past, all food that was 3D printed had to be cooked before it could be consumed.

The recently printed cheesecake was able to skip the cooking process because the ingredients, (Nutella, peanut butter, and strawberry jam), were all preparation free. They were easy to ready-print because these food items don’t need to be cooked, mashed, or crushed. The bananas were also simple because they only needed to be mashed. Graham crackers required the most work because they had to be crushed and mixed with water and butter to form a thick paste.

The cheesecake took a total of 8 tries and a total of 30 minutes to successfully create. The researchers unveiled their creation in the journal NPJ Science of Food on March 21, 2023. They believe 3D printing can be used to make many unique and healthy foods. The technology can particularly benefit the plant-based meat market. Here, texture and taste must be carefully developed to resemble real meat. It can also help create customized meals for those with special dietary needs.