Tofu is a go-to vegan and vegetarian cooking staple and one of the most popular soybean products on the market. It adds some much-needed protein to dishes, like Asian stir-fry.
However, modern cooking techniques also allow savvy cooks to turn it into chicken substitutes under the right conditions. From a flavor standpoint, it offers a great deal of flexibility because it takes on the flavors of whatever its cooked with.
With the recent popularity of vegetarianism and veganism worldwide, tofu has become more popular than ever. Here’s the low-down on tofu and how it’s made.
How is tofu made?
According to Heathline, the original tofu recipes were created in China more than 2,000 years ago. Its creation process mimics cheese to a certain extent.
Tofu comes from ground soy beans, which have been ground up, formed into curds, and then molded into blocks. The mixture gets a good dose of important minerals, like magnesium salt and calcium.
What types of tofu are there?
A wide variety of tofu varieties exist on the market. For recipes, like smoothies, silken tofu counts as the go-to preference. Silken tofu also forms a base for desserts, like vegan cheesecake.
Firm and extra-firm varieties of tofu get thrown into stir-fries or become the basis of the faux chicken/meat products on the market.
It only contains 70 calories per serving, so it’s also ideal for those who are trying to watch the amount of calories they take in each day.
What nutrients are in tofu?
Tofu comes chock full of a variety of nutrients. This protein substitute contains many nutrients. It also contains selenium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, carbohydrates, and fiber to name but a few of its healthy nutrients.
Due to the nutrients found it tofu, it is said to be good for the heart as well as being an anticancer food. It’s also good for weight loss because of its low calorie count.