First 3D food printer nearly ready to make cupcakes

Scientists think there could come a day when cup cakes and desserts will be produced by a 3D printer using fresh ingredients.

From a cake in the shape of a snowflake to a ravioli parcel, 3D food printing could become as routine as a microwave or blender, they say.

A Barcelona-based start-up has created one called ‘Foodini’, which uses open capsules which allow culinary whiz-kids to add their own freshly prepared ingredients.

Its re-usable capsules are made of stainless steel, meaning they can be easily cleaned and won’t retain the flavours of previously used ingredients.

“This is the first version of 3D printing adapted to food. The device takes basic ingredients like flour or water and creates the finished product,” said Emilio Sepulveda, co-founder of Natural Machines.

“If we want to go further and create things like those seen in the movie ‘The Fifth Element’ or the ‘Star Trek’ series where you tell the computer what you want without adding many ingredients, that will ta