Food made with soybeans
Tofu
The tofu is a typical cheese from Japan and China, derived from soybeans, obtained through the curdling of soymilk and subsequent shape in the form of square blocks.
It is very similar to Seitan, and several time is also confused with it. Although similar in the preparation, it is still different from tofu.
Production
The tofu is obtained from curdling soy milk, another food used extensively throughout the eastern culture. The mixture obtained, more dense and therefore more solid compared to soy milk, is then pressed with specific machines that gives the characteristic shape that you can see in the photo above.
The curdling clearly is the most important part of the process. It is made at 75 degrees centigrade, and you can use different type of ingredients for the curdling, although the most used is certainly the calcium sulfate, which of course assures a particular wealth , while maintaining a neutral flavour.
From the health's point of view
Tofu certainly contains few calories when compared to other cheese. It also contains a high amount of iron, useful in many diets. It is also present the calcium, although less than in proportion to the items mentioned above.
The tofu is a good source of protein, especially those of soybean. Thanks to the latter feature is indicated as a possible remedy for people who suffer from cardiovascular problems, since they can help reduce the level of cholesterol to below 30%, simulaneously raising good cholesterol.
