How is tofu made? What processes create tofu 'balls'?!
How is tofu made? What processes create tofu 'balls'?
I love to eat Taiwanese Hot Pot but my curiousity will probably ruin it for me. How does most of the products used in Taiwanese Hot Pot get made? I read in the news that 43% of Tofu Skin has some harmful chemicals in it..? Whats up with that? What processes are used to make Tofu products and tofu itself?
Answers:
Tofu, also known as dofu, or soybean curd, is a soft cheese-like food. Tofu is made from soybeans, water, and a coagulant. Different types of coagulant may be used for making tofu. The most popular coagulant is calcium sulfate. Other coagulants are: nigari, a natural sea salt extract in its natural form, magnesium chloride, also an extract of sea salt, calcium chloride, which is derived from a mineral ore. The type of coagulant used has an effect on the texture and taste of the plain tofu. Vinegar, lemon or lime juice are often used in homemade tofu. Tofu made with calcium sulfate, and calcium chloride have more calcium than tofu made with nigari.
The process by which tofu is made has a lot in common with making cheese. A coagulant is used to curdle soy milk and the curds are then pressed into a solid block. Several types of coagulant are used, from the above-mentioned nagari to calcium sulfate.
Tofu (soybean curd) is an excellent source of protein, calcium, iron, potassium, and even has a generous amount of fiber. It is low in saturated fat and sodium and is cholesterol-free making it heart healthy. These qualities and the versatile nature of tofu make it popular, especially among vegetarian chefs.
It's hard to exaggerate the health benefits of tofu. It's high in calcium and vitamins, but low in fat and sodium. It has no cholesterol. Because tofu is so easy to digest, it's an excellent meat substitute for individuals who have trouble digesting meat, or medical conditions such as chronic heartburn. Furthermore, tofu has been credited with offering protection against diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis.
But please be careful when purchasing your tofu. The recent China made product scare has mentioned that alot of things like cardboard is used to make the tofu. Just refrain from buying china made tofu. Otherwise, tofu is one of the best foods discovered by the chinese.