Growing world has great thoughts related to what they have in meal health wise to stay fit, and are adapting ingredients which are plant based to follow delicious yet a healthy diet chart. In which now a days the mostly common ingredient to be noticed is tofu, which is actually an ancient one and was introduced in the Chinese Han Dynasty as per a record .
What is tofu?
Tofu a healthy and tasty ingredient of many cuisines is basically made from soybeans. It is processed from curds of soymilk and transformed into Super soft white blocks, it is a vegetarian protein also referred as bean curd. Its origin is China, Later it was introduced to Japan and was named as Tofu. Tofu is named as bean curd in United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand, Australia. In Asian , South Asian, East Asian cuisines it is used as the traditional ingredient. It has a subtle flavor, sweet dishes are prepared commonly, but marinating it is a key of taste in its preparation.
Types of Tofu
In general Tofu can be categorized in three types.
1. Soft
2. Medium firm
3. Firm
Tofu is categorized on basis of its texture which can be determined by the amount quantity of water a tofu contain.
Soft tofu :
Soft are the once which have a quite good amount of water content in it. It can be marinated and can adapt flavors easily. These type of tofu are found in Asian cuisines. As of its soft texture it could be a great option to be used in soups.
Super soft tofu:
The super soft tofu are generally used in Japanese cuisine. They contain more quantity of water then soft tofu hence are super soft or are called as silky tofu. That can be assumed as white cheese.
Medium firm tofu:
It is the widely used tofu, which can be easily available in store, markets. Its firm ness clears that it contain less amount of water when compared to soft tofu. It is packed with delicately kept soaked in liquid , it could be easily cut down to pieces. It is to be ensured before cooking tofu is completely dry to avoid any problems in cooking.
Firm tofu:
It contains more less water compared to middle firm tofu its little hard, it is not a good choice to fry it , deep fry it.
Extra firm tofu:
This tofu is quite hard compared to firm tofu. It could be chopped down with ease. It needs to be marinated hot marinate. It could easily be misunderstood by meat due to its extra firm texture. As by the texture it has could be used as stir fry deep fry to get best in this texture.
What are the Health Benefits of Tofu?
• Tofu a great dish to fascinate the taste buds with good ness to heath.
• Tofu being a low calorie food yet a high amount of protein in it.
• Apart from protein the other nutrients such as iron, calcium, magnesium can be found, but this depends on processing method.
• It is a good replacement to non veg ingredient as meat, chicken. As in terms of a complete meal.
• Tofu can be a preventer form certain diseases heart related, diabetes etc. If taken in a meal.
• Tofu is found to be a health beneficial for women specially due to its great source calcium, iron including other beneficial nutrients can be great option to help reduce weight.
• High amount of intake of tofu can also lead to disease as cancer. Excessive amount means three times a day.
• It’s a helping hand in improvement of blood fat levels.
• Good cholesterol can be gained .
• Tofu helps to create strong body and muscles.
• Energy levels can be maintained well.
• It is a power-packed of nutrition with heath in a soy product for meal.
• It is a great replacement to meat as it is healthier than meat, apart from protein, and other nutrients including no cholesterol and no saturated fat are key to be noticed.
What are the Side effects of Tofu?
• If used misguided then could gain weight in return.
• If going through gut problems it’s a bad option to use in as meal.
• It could create gut problems as constipation
• High amount of intake of tofu can get increased in uric acid.
• People with kidney problems should avoid such high protein food.
• If the intake of high protein is not acceptable by any body its good to avoid tofu as it may create disaster to your health.
What are the Nutritional Benefits of Tofu?
• The nutrients such as minerals, calcium, protein can be up to11 grams.
• A low fat, cholesterol free ingredient is tofu.
• An anti inflammatory, anti oxidant effects can be seen in tofu.
• A balanced amino acids can be found.
• Anti oxidant Phytochemicals found in tofu can make it anti inflammatory.
• It contains a great source of complete protein.
• It is free from gluten.
What are the Interesting facts of tofu?
• A dish you can’t resist could be tofu.
• It could be preserved and used later.
• A table of veg meal and tofu if placed tofu wins the heart by any means.
• One of the good quality of tofu could be it absorbs the flavors in which it is marinated that are wanted as in dish what is to be prepared. It has great absorption ability as it can absorb sauce when we sauté.
• It acts like a sponch when its soft and super soft other wise could represent it self as meat if found in extra firm texture.
What are the things to be taken care of?
• Best way to have tofu is a fresh one to get great taste and health.
• Could be refrigerated for a week no longer than that if sealed in a container, but I prefer afresh one.
• It is said to be kept sealed in plastic wrap.
• Needs to take care if tofu is stored for long time , it could be poisonous.
• It’s a healthy meal but excess use can lead to diseases in health
• If opens seal use with in 2 to 4 days.
• A dish that wins heart with a benefit of health a great combination to be found.
Conclusion
A well known ingredient worldwide with different names and used by different types of textures that are mouth watering, can be easily addictive of, healthy, used as a starter, meal to be served, yet a meal to gain health benefits. But for some its use and even excessive use can be a bad option to health.
