House Foods America Corporation: Questions & Answers

COOKING TOFU
Q. How do I cook tofu?
Q. How do I marinate tofu?
Q. Is it safe and healthy to eat tofu straight from the container?
Q. I have noticed tofu comes in several forms - how do I know which firmness to select?

STORING TOFU
Q. How long can I keep the tofu once its opened?
Q. How should I store unused tofu?
Q. Can I put tofu in the freezer?
Q. Why is House Premium Tofu packed in water?

FRESHNESS CONCERNS
Q. The water of the tofu I bought is a little yellowish, is it all right?
Q. The House Premium Tofu that I bought has expired, can I eat it?
Q. The tofu I bought was spongy. Is it all right to eat?
Q. The tofu I bought was sour. Is it all right to eat it?

DIETARY CONCERNS
Q. Are you using genetically modified soybeans?
Q. I'm convinced tofu belongs in my diet, but how do I convince my kids?
Q. I've been told to watch my cholesterol and fat intake; does tofu fit into my diet?
Q. What are calcium sulfate and glucono delta lactone listed on House Premium Tofu labels? Are these substances used as preservatives?
Q. What is Nigari?
Q. I heard that Tofu contains lots of Isoflavones. What is Isoflavone?

COOKING TOFU

Q. How do I cook tofu?

A . There are many different ways to cook tofu. The easiest way is to cut the tofu in cubes and add in your favorite soup. Also you can add tofu to your stir fries. Find your favorite recipe at our recipe page.

Q. How do I marinate tofu?

A . Unlike meat which is usually marinated to tenderize it, tofu starts out tender; however, marinating tofu is a great way to give it flavor. Cube or slice the tofu to create more surface area for the marinade to soak in. Length of marinating time will depend on your taste and your choice of marinade. Many sauces such as soy sauce can be absorbed within 15 to 30 minutes. A trick to speed up marinating time is to heat the marinade before pouring over the tofu. Firm and extra-firm tofu soak up a marinade the best. Be sure to store your tofu in the refrigerator while it is marinating.

Q. Is it safe and healthy to eat tofu straight from the container?

A. Yes. House Premium Tofu is pasteurized during the manufacturing process and is both safe and healthy to eat straight from the container. Additional heating is not necessary for proper digestion or absorption of nutrients.

Q. I have noticed tofu comes in several forms — how do I know which firmness to select?

A . This is recurring question and the answer deserves repeating: House Premium Tofu comes in four levels of firmness, depending on its water content. Soft tofu is great for dips, salad dressings, sauces, shakes and cheesecake. Regular tofu works well in casseroles, soups, salads or when you're in doubt of the firmness you need. Use firm and extra-firm tofu for crumbling, stir-frying and deep-frying.

STORING TOFU

Q. How long can I keep the tofu once its opened?

A . If the tofu is within the code date, it will last approximately a few days in the refrigerator. But the tofu must be kept in an air tight container and it is better to add water to the container to keep its moisture.

Q. How should I store unused tofu?

A . Keep the unused portion of tofu in an airtight container. If you want to keep it moist, it is better that you keep the tofu in water. Once you open the tofu, we suggest you consume it in a couple of days. Our tofu is pasteurized somewhat like milk, so it might last shorter or longer depending on the condition and the code date of the tofu.

Q. Can I put tofu in the freezer?

A . Tofu needs to be keept in refrigerator, in order to keep its quality. However, if you would like to enjoy chewy, meat-like texture, freezing methodology can be an option. Do not be surprised that tofu will come out with completely different texture! To use frozen tofu, simply defrost it and squeeze out excess liquid; it's now ready to soak up in marinade or use as is. It makes a great substitute for meat.

Q. Why is House Premium Tofu packed in water?

A . Tofu packed in water is freshly made tofu; the water helps it maintain its bulk and form. Tofu sold this way has a fresher taste and better consistency than tofu that has been packed without water in aseptic packaging.

FRESHNESS CONCERNS

Q. The water of the tofu I bought is a little yellowish, is it all right?

A . Tofu is made from soy milk and as the time goes by the coagulated soy milk dissolves in to the water and that is why sometimes the water looks yellowish.

Q. The House Premium Tofu that I bought has expired, can I eat it?

A . No. Think of milk. Do you drink expired milk? Tofu is the same, we do not assure the freshness of expired products.

Q. The tofu I bought was spongy. Is it all right to eat?

A . The texture of tofu will become more chewier, more meat-like texture once its frozen. If the tofu you bought was spongy it is most likely it was frozen somewhere. I recommend you to tell the store to exchange the tofu.

Q. The tofu I bought was sour. Is it all right to eat it?

A . No. If the tofu is sour, it is an indication of high level of microbe, just like milk. If the tofu is not kept refrigerated at a right temperature, its will spoil before the code date. Ask the store where you bought it to exchange it.

DIETARY CONCERNS

Q. Are you using genetically modified soybeans?

A . No. All of the soybeans used at our company have been cultivated through traditional breeding methods and have not been genetically modified using recombinant DNA technology.

Q. I'm convinced tofu belongs in my diet, but how do I convince my kids?

A. Start by gradually adding small amounts of tofu to their favorite dishes, and/or camouflage tofu by blending it into a smoothie, pudding or soup to make a creamed soup. Try some of our kid's recipes on Recipe book page.

Q. I've been told to watch my cholesterol and fat intake; does tofu fit into my diet?

A . Tofu is an excellent plant-based protein source with virtually no cholesterol and less than a gram of fat per ounce. Not all fats are created equal; the majority of fat in tofu is unsaturated which is considered a "good fat" that does not harm blood vessels, whereas animal protein contains cholesterol and a higher level of unhealthy saturated fat.

Q. What are calcium sulfate and glucono delta lactone listed on House Premium Tofu labels? Are these substances used as preservatives?

A . They are both coagulants and are not preservatives. Tofu is made from soy milk, and in order to coagulate tofu, calcium sulfate and gulcono delta lactone are used. Gulcono delta lactone is a coagulant made from corn syrup. House Premium Tofu is pasteurized by a unique double-cool pasteurizing method and does not contain any preservatives.

Q. What is Nigari?

A. Nigari is a coagulant made from sea water extract. The main ingredient of Nigari is magnesium chloride.

Q. I heard that Tofu contains lots of Isoflavones. What is Isoflavone?

A. Isoflavones, found in high concentrations in soybeans, are compounds that have been attributed to helping reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and breast cancer, as well as osteoporosis and post-menopausal symptoms.

Ordinary Tofu includes 30~50mg of isoflavones per 100g (3.4 oz) of Tofu. Studies recommend that an intake of 60~90mg daily may be effective.