World Tofu Day Date in the current year: July 26, 2024

Tofu, sometimes referred to as bean curd in English, is a type of food prepared by coagulating soy milk. The resulting curds are then pressed into solid blocks. There are many varieties of tofu that have different textures and flavors. Tofu produced for Western markets usually tastes bland, which is seen as desirable by customers, while tofu produced in East Asian countries has a slightly beany flavor.

Tofu originated in China over 2,000 years ago, where it has been a staple since the Han dynasty. From there, the product spread to other countries of East and Southeast Asia. Tofu is extensively used in Burmese, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Indonesian, and Japanese cuisines. The word “tofu” was borrowed into English from Japanese in the late 18th century. The term “bean curds” originated in American English around the mid-19th century.

The two main types of tofu are fresh tofu and processed tofu. Fresh tofu is produced from soy milk, and processed tofu is produced from fresh tofu. Some varieties of processed tofu emerged from the need to preserve the product, while others resulted from experimentation with texture and flavor. Popular fermented tofu varieties include pickled tofu, stinky tofu, and thousand-layer tofu.

Tofu has become so popular beyond its region of origin for a number of reasons. First of all, its neutral flavor and spongy texture make tofu very versatile. It easily absorbs flavors and can be used both in savory and sweet dishes. Second, tofu is high in protein, which makes it a great substitute for products containing animal protein such as meat and cheese. Unlike cheese, tofu can be consumed by lactose intolerant people (however, it should be noted that it is unsuitable for people who are allergic to soy).

World 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, which includes a plant-based diet. Tofu was chosen to represent the plant-based diet because it is a nutritious, tasty and versatile product that can be used in a wide range of dishes and replace various animal-derived products.

The inaugural World Tofu Day celebration in Montreal was attended by more than 12,000 people. It was the largest vegan barbecue in the world. Since then, SPA Canada and other like-minded organizations and enthusiasts across the world have organized World Tofu Day events every July 26.

How can you observe World Tofu Day? You can go out to a restaurant that serves tofu dishes, organize a vegetarian picnic or barbecue for your family and friends, experiment with tofu recipes at home, try other plant-based products, and, of course, spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtag #WorldTofuDay.