TOP 5 best brands of tofu cheese: rating, features, which one to choose, pros and cons

Tofu is a protein made from soy milk and is an essential part of the daily diet in Japan and China. In our country and around the world, it has gained particular popularity among vegetarians and adherents of healthy eating. Outwardly, tofu resembles Adyghe cheese or feta cheese, but itself has practically no taste and smell. It is often used in cooking - fried, marinated, baked, or used as a base for desserts.

Fresh and properly cooked soybean cheese is very healthy: it is high in protein, vitamins and minerals, has a low glycemic index and is suitable for the diet. Today's review includes 5 brands of tofu cheese, which can be purchased in stores throughout the Russian Federation. In this article I will tell you about the features of each product and the selection criteria for purchasing.

Rating of TOP 5 brands of tofu cheese

Based on my market research, I have selected 5 popular brands of tofu that can be found on the shelves of retail stores and online marketplaces. The list looks like this:

"Garden of Eden"

Classic soy cheese in a vacuum plastic bag. A solid piece of light cream color and firm consistency, the surface is slightly porous. Has a neutral taste with a slight sourness and a faint smell of soybeans. There is a small amount of brine in the package. Suitable for frying and baking.

Mass fraction of proteins per 100 g: 14 g. Shelf life: 90 days. After opening, store in the refrigerator in brine, changing it every day.

Bought this tofu at Magnet — is inexpensive, I decided to try. It was not very pleasant to eat in its pure form, and the smell of beans is too specific, although it came more from the brine. It was worth cutting into pieces and frying - another matter, it turned out very tasty, especially with soy sauce.

"Morinaga"

Japanese soybean cheese in a tight cardboard box with opening instructions. It is characterized by a delicate silk texture and a freshish taste. Rather soft than hard, as originally stated on the package. Recommended as an ingredient for salads, first and second courses, scrambled eggs, desserts.

Protein content per 100 g: 6.9 g.
Expiration date: 12 months. Store in refrigerator for no more than 36 hours after opening.

Very tasty product for vegans, very suitable for making miso soup, cheese cakes and casseroles. A real Japanese product, very different from Russian counterparts — more tender and without the unpleasant taste of soy. Expensive, but amateurs will appreciate it.

"Satonoyuki"

Japanese cotton tofu in tetra-pack with opening instructions. It has a fragile structure and a damp smooth surface; its consistency resembles a steamed omelet. Has no pronounced smell and taste.It goes well with soy sauce, it is recommended to use it after heat treatment and as part of various dishes.

Mass fraction of proteins: 5.7 g per 100 g.
Expiration date: 365 days. After opening the package, it is recommended to use it immediately.

Warn all tofu lovers — having tried this product, you will no longer be able to buy analogs from a Russian manufacturer. Delicate, perfect for vegan cheesecake and Asian cuisine. You can even just slice it and drizzle over the soy sauce.

"I'M WITH"

Vacuum packed natural tofu with sea salt. The whole piece has a dense texture and a pale beige tint, like baked milk. The consistency is curdled, easy to break off and spread on bread. The taste is neutral, without sourness and pungent odor. The packet contains a small amount of whey.

Protein content per 100 g of product: 14 g. Shelf life: 180 days, after opening it is recommended to store no more than 24 hours.

The Yaso brand has many varieties of tofu with different flavors, but I prefer natural without additives. You can cook anything with it. — salads, soups, sandwiches, but just like that, I like it too. An excellent high-protein product at a reasonable price!

"Zhitnoye Compound"

Classic soy cheese in a transparent vacuum package. The whole cream-colored bar has a loose, but at the same time dense consistency with small holes, it is easy to cut with a knife. The taste is most comparable with the Adyghe cheese. Does not fall apart after heat treatment.

Protein content - not less than 7.5 g per 100 g of product. Expiration date: 25 days. After opening the package, it is recommended to store it in the refrigerator for no more than 5 days.

This cheese is usually a lottery — fresh, it is simply excellent, but deteriorates very quickly, even in a vacuum. This is evidenced by the bitterness, many complain about it, I also faced this. Better to buy the freshest and eat right away or trust another manufacturer.

How to choose the right tofu in the store

• There is a hard and soft variety of tofu, it is recommended to choose one or the other depending on how you intend to use it in cooking. Thick cheese is best for frying and sandwiches, cotton cheese is best for puddings, cheesecakes and casseroles.
• Cheese should contain the following ingredients: soybeans or milk, water and coagulant. It will be a basic and natural product with a neutral taste, which can be modified in your own way by adding spices just before use. There are varieties of tofu on the market with different flavors - salt, herbs, spices, marinades. It should be borne in mind that they can mask the premature spoilage of the cheese. If you trust the manufacturer, nothing prevents you from purchasing such a product, the main thing is to check that the supplements are of natural origin.
• The freshness of tofu in an unopened package is difficult to determine.First of all, you need to focus on the shelf life, and after opening - on the aroma. Fresh cheese has practically no smell, but a pronounced sour or rotten smell indicates spoilage.
• The presence of serum in the package should not be intimidating. The brine allows you to preserve the organoleptic properties of the product and protect it from absorbing extraneous odors.
• High-quality and fresh soybean cheese should have a light shade without yellowness and stains. Too dark cheese with splashes could be frozen, or production processes were disrupted during its production.
• Don't be confused by the too long shelf life of tofu - up to 24 months. This indicates that the product has been pasteurized and can be stored even without refrigeration. However, after opening, the cheese becomes vulnerable to the external environment, so it must be filled with water and stored in the refrigerator.