Steakholder Foods’ First 3D Printed Eel: Tempting or Not?

Today, the eel industry faces a number of challenges due to significant and ever-increasing demand. According to Industry Research, the global eel market was estimated to be worth $4.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $4.8 billion by 2028. While the majority of consumed eels are farmed, concerns persist regarding the potential extinction of numerous species, whether they belong to the saltwater or freshwater varieties. This situation makes it difficult to raise and use eels for subsistence purposes. Indeed, this sector faces several significant challenges, including overexploitation and the risk of extinction. On-farm breeding difficulties due to the eels’ complex life cycle, poaching, and the black market exacerbate the problems. However, a promising solution is emerging from Israeli start-up Steakholder Foods, which has succeeded in creating the world’s first 3D printed eel.

This breakthrough was made possible by the application of bioprinting. Currently, the eel is made entirely from plants, but the idea is to incorporate cultured eel cells in the future. This first 3D-printed eel highlights Steakholder Foods’ ability to reproduce this fish’s complex texture accurately. This is made possible by the precise layering and distinctive combination of materials in Steakholder Foods’ exclusive 3D printing technology.

The Steakholder Foods 3D printer

3D Printed Eels: A Culinary Evolution?

Thanks to its unique printing method, Steakholder Foods (previously used for other meat products) can significantly reduce the number of ingredients required for its 3D printed product compared with conventional plant-based alternatives. This approach could place Steakholder Foods’ plant-based 3D printed eel at the forefront of the industry. However, recreating the unique, melt-in-the-mouth texture of eel meat presents a challenge.