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Tofu
- Updated:
- Oct 16, 2009;
- by:
- China Highlights;
- Clicks:
- 70;
Tofu, or literally translated as bean curd, is a food of Chinese origin. It is made from soy milk, water and a curdling agent. The production of Tofu from soy milk is similar to that of cheese from milk. It is made by coagulating soy milk, then pressing the resulting curds into blocks.
Tofu contains little fat, and is high in protein, calcium and iron. Tofu itself has very little flavor or smell, but it has the ability to absorb new flavors through spices and marinades. Due to this quality and nutritional value, Tofu, a staple of Asian cuisines since ancient times, has recently become a popular material used in Western vegetarian dishes.
There is a wide variety of tofu, which can be split into two main categories: fresh tofu – produced directly from soy milk, and processed tofu – processed in some way from fresh tofu.
Fresh Tofu
Soft/silken Tofu
With white color and very tender texture, it contains the highest moisture contents of all fresh tofus. This is the typical tofu in south part of China. It is usually used to make soup.
Firm Tofu
Typical tofu in north China, it has a yellowish color, and bounces back when readily pressed. Because of its firm texture, it is suitable for stir-fry, and can be picked up easily with chopsticks.
Dried Tofu
This extra firm tofu contains the least amount of moisture of all fresh tofu. It is usually pressed very flat and sliced into long strings, which looks like loose cooked noodles, and can be served cold or stir-fried.
Processed Tofu
Picked Tofu
Also called fermented tofu, it consists of dried tofu cubes that have been fully air-dried, then soaked in Chinese wine, salt water, vinegar, minced chilies, etc. for slow fermentation process.
Stinky Tofu
This smelly tofu is a kind of snack with strong odor described as rotten or fecal. Blocks of soft tofu are fermented in unique brine, and then after frying till the rind becomes crisp, are usually served with sweet sauce, soy sauce or hot sauce.
Famous Tofu Dish
Mapo Tofu (Mapo Bean Curd)
Mapo Bean Curd is a combination of bean curd set in a chili-and-bean based sauce, which is usually a thin, oily, and bright red suspension, and often topped with minced meant, usually pork or beef. Seasonings include water chestnuts, onions, other vegetables, or wood ear fungus.
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