Tofu

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/tofu

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Glycine max
2. What is the estimated origin period?Over 2,000 years ago (Han Dynasty, China)
3. What is tofu made from?Tofu is made from soybeans that are soaked, ground with water, and turned into soy milk. The soy milk is then turned into a solid block by adding a coagulant.
4. How is tofu made?First, soybeans are soaked and ground to make soy milk. The milk is heated and a coagulant like magnesium chloride or calcium sulfate is added, causing the soy proteins to clump into a gel. The gel is then pressed to remove liquid, and the amount of pressing decides if the tofu is soft, firm, or extra‑firm.

Coagulation: The process by which liquid soy milk transforms into solid curds through the action of coagulants.
Phytoestrogens: Plant-derived compounds, such as isoflavones in soybeans, that can mimic or block the effects of estrogen in the body.
Okara: The insoluble fiber residue left after straining soy milk from ground soybeans, often used in other food preparations.