What Is Tempeh?
Don't Be Afraid of Tempeh — Here's Why You May Like It More Than Tofu
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But first, what the heck is tempeh? Unlike tofu, which is made by curdling fresh, hot soy milk with a coagulant, tempeh is made by fermenting cooked soybeans with a mold. OK, so the two don't sound too appetizing when you explain how they're made, but they take on the flavour of whatever spices and sauces you cook them with, which makes them delicious!
While tofu has a smooth, soft or firm texture, tempeh has a much more chewy, tender texture. You can actually see the whole cooked soybeans, so it's less processed than tofu. You'll notice that tempeh has a stronger, nuttier flavour than tofu which is virtually flavourless.
You can find tempeh at health food stores and mainstream supermarkets. Basic soy tempeh is gluten-free, but note that there are other varieties like this one from Trader Joe's that's also made with brown rice, barley, and millet (so it's not gluten-free). You can also find tempeh made with veggies or tempeh made with flaxseed.