International Tofu Day is the perfect holiday for those who love East and Southeast Asian cuisine, as well as for vegetarians, vegans and people with lactose intolerance. It celebrates tofu – a soy product that is an excellent source of protein and minerals.
History and types of tofu
Tofu is a type of food made by curdling soy milk. The resulting curd is then pressed into solid blocks. There are many varieties of tofu that have different textures and flavors. Tofu produced for Western markets usually has a mild flavor, which is considered desirable by customers, while tofu made in East Asian countries has a bean flavor.
Tofu originated in China over 2000 years ago, where it has been a staple food since the Han Dynasty. From there, the product spread to other countries in East and Southeast Asia. Tofu is widely used in Burmese, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Indonesian and Japanese cuisines. The word “tofu” was borrowed into other languages from Japanese in the late 18th century.
The two main types of tofu are fresh tofu and processed tofu. Fresh tofu is made from soy milk, and processed tofu is made from fresh tofu. Some varieties of processed tofu appeared due to the need to preserve the product, while others are the result of experiments with texture and taste. Popular fermented varieties of tofu include pickled tofu, stinky (smelly) tofu and thousand-layer tofu.
Tofu has become so popular outside its region of origin for a number of reasons. First of all, its neutral taste and spongy texture make tofu very versatile. It easily absorbs flavors and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. Secondly, tofu is high in protein, which makes it a great substitute for foods containing animal protein, such as meat and cheese. Unlike cheese, tofu can be consumed by people with lactose intolerance (however, it should be noted that it is not suitable for people with soy allergies).
International Tofu Day
International Tofu Day has been celebrated annually since 2014. It was created by the Society for the Protection of Animals Canada (SPA Canada) to celebrate plant-based alternatives to animal products and encourage people to choose a cruelty-free lifestyle based on plant-based food. Tofu was chosen to represent a plant-based diet because it is a nutritious, tasty and versatile product that can be used in a wide variety of dishes and replace various animal products.
The first celebration of World Tofu Day in Montreal was attended by over 12,000 people. It was the largest vegan barbecue in the world.
Since then, SPA Canada and other like-minded organizations and enthusiasts around the world have been organizing events dedicated to World Tofu Day every year on July 26.
How can you celebrate World Tofu Day? You can go to a restaurant that serves tofu dishes, organize a vegetarian picnic or barbecue for family and friends, experiment with tofu recipes at home and try other plant-based products.