Novameat has created the world’s first 3D-printed steak and it just so happens to be vegan. This sentence might sound at odds with itself, but don’t be too quick to judge.
The printer uses a synthetic meat that can imitate the texture of beef and chicken, creating a totally vegan-friendly product that everybody will enjoy, according to Giuseppe Scionti, the CEO and founder.
When will this wonder product be available? The plant-based 3d-printed steak is being heralded as hopefully beaing ready to “hit UK shelves before 2022,” says Scionti.
The steak is made from rice and pea protein, algae fibres and rapeseed fat. It is printed in layers, to give it a more realistic muscle fibre texture and comparable mouth feel to real meat. Being touted as costing $30 per kilo, the product costs around the same as a traditional beef steak, but buying it from traditional shops is not the CEO’s dream.
“Imagine a future where somebody can have this machine at home and create customised food in their kitchen,” Scionti told the World Economic Forum. Is the future going to include bespoke kitchens, kitted out with a 3d printer, as standard?
Despite not being ready to launch the 3d-printed steak yet, Novameat is focusing on developing a wider product range, including a faux fish that will replicate the look and taste of salmon.
As both a sustainable and animal-friendly meat alternative, one thing to be sure of is the global and growing need for innovation like this. Regardless of how space-age the technology seems.
