Jashan Sippy and the team at Sugar and Space developed a range of 3D printed edible toys for neophobic children (those who are afraid of trying new/unfamiliar foods).

Goal

Encouraging toddlers to try healthy ethnic superfoods through playful meals

Background

Research shows that food preferences develop as early as in the womb, later on flavours pass through breast milk, and for a determined period of time one likes what our mothers have eaten. The edible toy project aims to expose children to new flavours at an early age by reconnecting them to their mother’s roots, reconnecting them to those indigenous ingredients their mothers and ancestors ate one day.

This prototype uses nutritious superfoods from Latin America like lupin, casava, amaranth and alfalfa, but this is not limited to one geographical location. In international and metropolitan cities like London, the vast majority of people come from different backgrounds, so ingredients can be adjusted to serve other ethnic groups from Asia or Africa, etc.