If you crave chicken nuggets, you might be interested in some KFC 3D prints.
The fast food restaurant chain has officially announced that it is partnering with a Russian research laboratory, 3D Printing Solutions, to develop technology for what it calls “meat of the future.” Or, in other words, lab-produced chicken nuggets. (I know, it sounds extremely appetizing.)
Not only will it be the first of its kind, but the nuggets will apparently resemble and taste a lot like the original KFC chicken. 3D printed chicken production is also greener than standard meat.
How is this possible?
According to the press release, 3D Bioprinting Solutions is working to “develop additive bioprinting technology using chicken cells and plant material, allowing it to reproduce the flavor and texture of chicken meat.”
With the bioprinting method, you can still incorporate the same micronutrients that you get from eating chicken, but without including plenty of additives used in traditional farming and agriculture. Therefore, you can be sure that it is much healthier for you. It is also more ethical since there are no animals damaged in the process.
The statement also cites a study by the American Environmental Science & Technology Journal that states that “technology of culturing meat from cells has a minimal negative impact on the environment, which allows reducing energy consumption by more than half and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 times and 100 times less land to be used than traditional farm meat production. “
The momentum for 3D-printed chicken comes from the growing trend for meat alternatives like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, which have turned it into fast food chains (including KFC) and supermarkets.
There is still no restaurant to create your own version of an alternative meat product and it looks like KFC is making the leap. But it is important to note that KFC mentions that 3D printed nuggets consist of plant material and chicken cells.
Impossible foods and beyond meat, on the other hand, are 100 percent plant-based. So if you are a vegetarian, you will probably want to do a little research before diving into an order of these nuggets.
Also, while the research lab deals with the scientific stuff, KFC covers it in terms of ingredients. The chain will supply all of its signature ingredients, such as spices and breading, to give 3D-printed nugs that familiar KFC kick. And also, to help you forget that what you are eating is not really chicken. (Even if it is, more or less).
Of course, that will require a taste test of your own to confirm. However, we may have to wait a while. KFC says the final product will be received in the fall of 2020 in Moscow, not knowing when we can expect it to hit the menus in the US.
Anyway, I can’t wait to yell “I’m going to have an order for the 3D-printed nuggets, please” at the drive-thru when they’re finally available.
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