Star Trek enthusiasts remember the Replicator, a machine capable of making meals automatically in the space shuttle of the conquerors of space. That dream has now become a reality. An Israeli startup announces the release of The Genie.
Like espresso machines that have become commonplace, The Genie welcomes capsules containing freeze-dried natural ingredients. Fancy a couscous for lunch? No problem. Just slip your capsule into the machine and after 30 seconds, your meal is ready! Critics say the taste and flavour as well as the nutritional properties are perfect. We have to confess, that at UP' we did not try the adventure...
This innovation is produced by White iInnovation; it has taken several years to develop and the market launch is proving promising. The Genie makes it possible to produce different kinds of food, both sweet and savoury, in the same way as a 3D printer. These range from chicken and rice pilaf to chocolate soufflé. Ayelet Carrasso, one of the project's founders, says she uses only natural ingredients, without any preservatives. The capsules are freeze-dried and have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years.
The Genie works in connection with a smartphone, a real map of the available menus. You click on the dish of your choice and The Genie will start mixing, blending and adding the necessary liquids from tubes located in the device. The dish is cooked and served at the appropriate temperature in 140 gram portions in a recyclable container.
The magazine eretzaujourdhui.com states that Israeli chefs have already started to produce new recipes for The Genie capsules and hope to develop product lines made by well-known culinary personalities as well as capsules that meet specific dietary needs, including sugar-free and gluten-free.
The founders of The Genie, Doron Marco and Ayelet Carasso, estimate that the machine should be marketed for a few hundred dollars and the price of each meal capsule comparable to that of a snack or dessert.