3D-printed Cracker Could Change the Future of Snacking

A 3D-printed cracker could prove to be the snack of the future.

3D-printing food isn’t a new concept; in fact, we’ve even written a blog that gave you the scoop on the latest 3D-printed innovation!

Not to mention, in the past we’ve seen snack companies try their hand at 3D-printed treats; do Doritos 3D ring a bell?

Well, recently, a discovery in the 3D-printing world was made and now we are being introduced to a 3D-printed cracker.

You might be thinking this is just another kind of 3D-printed food and it’s nothing too special.

But, it’s safe to say that this isn’t your average snack, because this 3D-printed cracker is actually sprouting nutritiously-sound mushrooms and greens.

Let it be known that these crackers aren’t found in nature. In fact, these snacks are the creation of Dutch food designer Chloe Rutzerveld, who invented “Edible Growth,” an experiment that combines 3D printing with living organisms.

Here’s how the snack-able 3D-printed crackers are made:

First, a 3D printer builds a cracker-like structure, which is made of seeds, spores and yeast. In about three to four days, the seeds and spores will sprout and voila! It’s snack time!

This 3D-printing invention is more than just a new way to 3D-print food. In fact, it demonstrates the fact that this technology has a lot of untapped potential. In the case of the 3D-printed cracker, it is that it has the potential to “make the [food] production chain very short” and less dependent on transportation and land requirements.

As of late, Rutzerveld believes that it most likely will take at least eight to 10 years before a food like this could ever hit the market.

So, in the meantime, take a look at this quick clip to get a better look at this 3D-printed cracker!