Tofu - what it is and what it is eaten with

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Even in the second century AD in the East, in particular in China, they began to eat tofu. What it is, in our country they learned relatively recently. Along with the fashion for Japanese and Chinese cuisine, where tofu takes pride of place, this bean curd has gained popularity among Russian gourmets.

But still, vegetable cheese, which in the East has long secured its place as one of the main food products, is still exotic in our country. Although every year there are more and more fans of this product, especially among vegetarians.

So what is tofu? By consistency, color and even a slight smell, it resembles ordinary cottage cheese, which is obtained as a result of milk processing. Only now, tofu does not “smell” any products of animal origin! It is 100% plant based food. It is created by special processing of soy milk. To do this, magnesium chloride, potassium sulfate or ordinary citric acid are added to the milk, and after heating the mixture is filtered. That's it - delicious and he althy vegetable cheese is ready to eat.

There are several types of such a product. But, as a rule, the domestic consumer is most familiar with tofu(what it is, we have almost figured it out), which is sold in pressed form in vacuum packs filled with water. It has white color. By regularly changing the water in which the cheese is located, you can store this product in the refrigerator for several weeks, while its qualities are fully preserved.

Inhabitants of the Celestial Empire believe that it is the regular use of tofu (even small children know what it is) that ensures the he alth and longevity of the Chinese nation. And, of course, they have every reason to think so. The fact is that in terms of the amount of proteins in its composition, tofu, whose calorie content is very low compared to ordinary cottage cheese, can compete with selected meat. Moreover, vegetable protein, as you know, is much easier to digest by the human body, which means that eating this cheese does not have unpleasant side effects that avid meat eaters tend to experience.

Vegetarians sing praises of this product, arguing that even children who eat tofu in any form can easily refuse meat, and the lack of protein does not threaten them at all. In addition to it, this plant product is rich in iron and calcium. And another plus is the complete absence of cholesterol.

Cheese can be eaten raw, just as a snack, it is fried, stewed. Tofu goes well with all kinds of fish and meat dishes; delicious desserts are prepared on its basis. In general, not a product - but just a fairy tale, if not for one "but". Tofu cheese, the benefits of which for the bodyman is undoubtedly made from soy milk, that is, from soy. And today this product is number one in the list of plants most often amenable to genetic modification. And if soy is created thanks to GMOs, then there can be no question of any of its benefits.

The worst thing is that it is almost impossible to protect yourself from the use of such products. The "non-GMO" label that we've all become accustomed to does not provide absolutely no guarantees. So even with tofu that is useful in all respects, it is better not to overdo it and show a sense of proportion.