Japan has taken the lead in the edible house market by inventing cement made from Chinese cabbage, coffee grounds, orange rinds, pumpkins, banana peels, seaweed, and onions.
This cement, which is four times stronger than conventional concrete, is perhaps not something to serve on your finest china, but it can be flavoured, coloured, and fragranced.
So children beware, the gingerbread house is a real possibility.
In terms of taste, it appears that insects and worms have not been attracted to a meal of this cement and that although it doesn’t need a coating, it can be lacquered and waterproofed using chemicals that would take your house firmly off the menu….