What is Tofu Made of

Of late, soy products like tofu, are fast gaining popularity, due to their health properties. While most of us are conversant with tofu and tofu nutrition, there are many, who lack awareness about what is tofu made of and what are the benefits of this soy product.

What is Tofu

So, it is clear that tofu is a soy product and it is made from soy milk. It is a bland tasting cheese like thing made by curdling soy milk. As tofu is bland tasting, it can absorb a whole lot of flavors and so, it is used in preparing a host of recipes. The method of preparation of tofu is almost similar to cheese, which is made from milk. In case of tofu, it is soy milk that is used as the raw material. So, tofu is also known as bean curd.

In order to prepare tofu, soy beans (dried or fresh) is soaked well. Once done, the beans are ground to a paste, along with some water. This paste is cooked, before straining and the resultant soy milk is curdled with the help of coagulants, like, magnesium chloride. The curd is then pressed to form soft blocks and the whey is discarded. These soft blocks are called tofu, which is available in many different types.

Tofu Types

Tofu can be cooked in many different ways. It can be steamed, stir fried, grilled, baked, sauteed and can be added to soups and salads. But, you must have a basic understanding about the different tofu types, before using it in a particular recipe. While, silken tofu is a perfect addition to soups, it cannot be grilled, as it is soft and mushy. Tofu originated in Southeast Asia and in countries like China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam, you may find many different varieties of tofu. It has to be noted that the calories in tofu vary with the types.

Basically, tofu types can be divided into silken, soft and firm varieties. Silken tofu is a type with the maximum amount of water in it. It is a creamy version of tofu, which can be compared to fine custard. Silken tofu is perfect for blending purposes, as in soups, dips and spreads. You may even replace cream cheese with silken tofu, in cheesecakes. As compared to silken tofu, soft tofu is more firm, but will be still soft and can be compared to the consistency of Jello. One of the available and widely used tofu type is the firm one, which is not that soft and is able to maintain its shape. Firm tofu can be baked, grilled, stir fried, scrambled, pickled and smoked. Even extra firm tofu is available in the market. This type of tofu, with the least water content, is firm and has a meaty texture. It can be used in stews and casseroles. In its native regions, you may find a whole lot of tofu types, like, fried ones, sun dried ones, flavored tofu and fermented tofu.

This was a brief overview about what is tofu made of and what are its different types. So, why wait? Try the different tofu recipes and enjoy the goodness of this soy product. However, make sure to use the right type of tofu for different recipes.