For better or worse, scientists have figured out how to 3D-print real, edible food items, and if the most recent development — a seven-ingredient cheesecake — is anything to go by, the future looks decidedly unappetizing. Advancements in 3D-printing over the last decade have opened the door to all kinds of applications, from hobbyist trinket-making to manufacturing and building construction. A rocket made primarily of 3D-printed parts even successfully launched in March 2023 and managed a brief flight (but fell short of reaching orbit). Working with food poses unique challenges, though, and proponents of 3D food printing have long been trying to get it right.
