Tofu first originated in China and has been consumed within China for over 2,000 years dating back to the Han dynasty. It is also a traditional component of the cuisines of East and Southeast Asia, including in Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Tofu is believed to have arrived in Japan in the eighth century AD. The name Tofu is a Japanese term that is derived from the Chinese word doufu (Mandarin) that literally means curdled bean . Tofu is low in calories per serving, and it is a great source of protein, Iron, and (depending on the coagulant used) calcium or magnesium.
What is tofu, and is it good for You?
Tofu is a food that is made by curdling soy milk from soybeans and pressing the curds into soft white blocks. Besides being high in protein, tofu is also a good source of manganese, calcium, selenium and phosphorus.
One of the next things we wondered was, how to cook tofu that actually tastes good?
How to Make Tofu Taste Good. You’ve gotta drain it. Most tofu comes packed in water, so the number one thing you always need to do is drain the block as much as possible. Make sure the pan is hot, hot, hot, season generously, after you’ve pressed tofu, it’s ready to absorb flavor, ditch the olive oil, cornstarch holds the key to crispiness, and if you marinate it, skip the oil as well will be interesting too.
Where can I buy fresh tofu?
Tofu can be found in most grocery stores, including large chain stores. It’s also stocked at health food co-ops and natural food stores. Tofu is usually found in the refrigerated shelves at the edge of the produce section. It may also be in the natural foods or Asian food sections.