Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Tofu

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French version

Tofu

豆腐
alternative words: Toufu, Toofu, Bean curd, Touhu
keywords: food
related topics: Soy sauce
related web sites: http://www.aiweb.or.jp/otoufu/ , http://www2.nsknet.or.jp/~tofu/ , http://ww5.tiki.ne.jp/~takumian/
explanation: According to a legend, it was invented in China, 2000 years ago and introduced in Japan in the 7th century. It is made by ground soybeans boiled together with water. It is then filtered to separate solid part (okara) and liquid one (tounyu). Tounyo is then solidified by a coagulant (nigari) and pressed to form white rectangular blocks which are tofu. You can eat tofu alone with soy sauce or use it as ingredient in diverse Japanese dishes like miso soup or sukiyaki.