Introduction: A successful food often comes with an element of surprise, and sometimes that surprise can be an unexpected flavour or the human story behind it. Now with 3D printing technology, one can accomplish those food ideas that could not be easily achieved through traditional processes.

August 30, 2022 - Los Angeles food 3D printing specialists, Sugar Lab, are using advanced processes and art in a clever combination to create the world's most unique sweets.

3D printing sugary treats

The company, which has earned a reputation as a "digital bakery", claims that their unique patented technology enables creative concepts that could not be produced by any other means. Examples include the 'Strawberry Chocolate', a rich chocolate ganache wrapped in a strawberry sugar shell; kimchi soup made into baby octopus, fried chicken thighs and Napa cabbage; lime wedges that melt into glitter when dripped into tequila cocktails; and, most recently, a series of edible RPG dice to coincide with the latest season of Stranger Things.

Each of these products has the appearance of having a rough texture like a sugar cube, yet they are very graphic when combined together. Their range of handmade beer bonbon treats look as if they have stepped out of a cartoon comic.When Sugar Lab was first established, their main client base was focused on things like cake toppers and wedding supplies, but, after understanding the potential demand from high-end chefs and bartenders, they began to approach 3D printing technology and try to combine it with their artistic abilities. In the early days, it was like market research, figuring out what people liked," recalls William Hu, creative director. We developed the recipes in-house, imagining ourselves as customers, and developed our own recipes for the needs, which was really amazing." He continued, "One of the most exciting things about 3D printing technology is that it allows for shapes and colours that simply can't be made in any other way." "We can produce shapes that cannot be replicated by hand, such as hollow shapes, perfect geometric shapes, and full colour 3D printing. These patterns will take on such intricate effects that it's very fascinating for us."
Combining culture and cuisine
Sugar Lab's combination of clear, precise graphic design and flavour means that their food can bring many layers of impact and meaning. For example, their Koreatown range contains sweets in the shape of little Yakult bottles, the Korean word 'cheers', and traditional Korean sweets. William says, "It touches on visual culture and visual language, and we really find it compelling that when food is taken out of its cultural context, that sense of place or food tends to lose the meaning behind it. Sugar Lab's techniques often combine the human context with the physical object to bring out a visual impact and attitude to life subtly, not just the taste."

Of course, taste is also very important. Sugar Lab's products would not be successful if they only looked good but didn't taste good - the IPA fudge is full of velvety smooth milk chocolate with the distinctive bitterness of hops. The taste of kimchi soup is equally impressive. Like kimchi, it has an intense flavour, so sweet and salty or spicy that it can spoil the already seasoned broth.

And the texture of the 3D printed sugar shell is also interesting on a sensory level. It is rough and sandy, but also soft and elastic. Its unusual graininess prompts you to pay attention to what you are eating, allowing you to perceive more of the candy's complex flavours. At the moment, 3D printing of food doesn't get as much attention as the healthcare and aerospace sectors, for example. However, when used with purpose and thought, as Sugar Lab does, the artistic value of this art speaks for itself. They produce sweets that are not only visually beautiful and full of playfulness, but also full of the smoke and mirrors of life.