Knowledge

Tofu is a sponge-like cake made from condensed soy milk. It serves as a popular plant-based protein in many Asian and vegetarian dishes.

Many recipes use baked or fried tofu, while others may call for cold, raw tofu that’s often crumbled or cut into cubes.

If you’re new to eating tofu, you may wonder whether it’s safe to consume tofu that hasn’t been cooked.

This article examines whether raw tofu is safe to eat, as well as any potential risks that may come along with doing so.

Potential benefits of eating raw tofu

The idea of eating raw tofu is slightly misleading, as tofu is an already cooked food.

To make tofu, soybeans are soaked, boiled, and made into soy milk. The soy milk is then cooked again, and thickening agents called coagulants are added to help form it into a cake.

There are a number of potential benefits of eating tofu straight from its packaging.

Tofu is one of the quickest and most inexpensive ways to add plant-based protein to your diet, as it doesn’t require much preparation besides draining excess water. It’s also a good source of nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese.

You can add raw tofu to things like smoothies, purées, and blended sauces, or use it as a base in homemade ice cream.

Eating tofu raw also minimizes any added oils or fats that may be used during common cooking methods. This, in addition to the fact that tofu is low in calories, may be important for someone wanting to limit their fat or calorie intake.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/can-you-eat-tofu-raw