Hensel Organic Soy Products

Back in the 1990s, tofu and soy drinks were exotic niche products. Today, more and more people are using the plant-based alternatives. Soybeans are the absolute classic of the vegetarian cuisine. The inconspicuous legume has a high protein content and is very versatile. For many millennia, it has been a staple food in many Asian countries. But it is nowhere as popular as in Japan. Soybeans are just as indispensable to Japanese cooking as rice, fish or green tea. On average, every Japanese eats almost 11 kilograms of soy per year, which is the highest per capita consumption worldwide. Half of all Japanese soybeans are used for tofu production. Due to its production method, tofu is also known as bean curd. The Chinese knew tofu as early as in the 10th century. Buddhist monks brought it to Japan. In China, tofu was a simple meal, in Japan it was first eaten by nobles and the clergy. Especially in the meatless kitchen of Buddhist monasteries, tofu quickly became an important basic ingredient. In 1575, the first tofu restaurant opened next to the entrance of the Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto. Here pilgrims and locals could get tea and tofu. Over the centuries, new dishes with bean curd emerged. Today, 3 to 4 tofu dishes per week are not uncommon among many Japanese.

Also ”miso“ and ”shoyu“, the two most important Japanese condiments, would be unthinkable without soy. Soy sauce (Japanese ”shoyu“) is extremely versatile: it can be cooked with the dishes, but it is also suitable for seasoning at the table. Soy sauces are available in numerous variants, which are now also very popular in the Western world. Unlike soy sauce, however, most Europeans have never heard of miso before. Miso is a seasoning paste that has been used in Japan for more than 1,000 years. For its production, steamed soybeans are fermented together with barley and rice. Traditionally, the ingredients were put in a wooden barrel, which was weighted with stones. You could say that ”miso“ is something like the Japanese version of chicken or vegetable broth. However, this comparison does not do it justice, because the paste is used in countless dishes. In addition, it is – next to fish sauce – the basis for Japan's national dish: the miso soup. Tofu, algae and spring onions are used as classic additions to this soup, with mushrooms and seasonal vegetables often being added.

In addition to the evening beer, many Japanese like to nibble ”edamame“ instead of chips or peanuts. This snack consists of the immature soybeans in the pod. They are cooked whole in salt water and are then sprinkled with sea salt or spices. However, only the green beans inside are eaten, the pods themselves are left over. Since ”edamame“ make you thirsty, they are served for free in many Japanese bars in addition to beer. Next to salty snacks also many sweets are made from soy.

While soy flour is often used for traditional confectionery, soy drinks are often the basis for soft ice creams and desserts. A soy dish about which people have different opinions is ”natto“. These are boiled soybeans that form a ropy slime through fermentation. Despite the intense aroma and the strong smell, natto is a popular breakfast dish in northern Japan. In the south and for visitors from the west, on the other hand, it usually is not that popular. Although natto will probably never be popular in Europe, soybeans are a versatile addition for your own diet. With its high-quality Organic Soy Products, Hensel shows how easy that is.

The Organic Yellow Soybeans by Hensel contain the mature seeds of the soybean plant. They are ideal as a vegetable side dish and for tasty salads, but also taste great in soups and stews. The Organic Soy Flour Full-Soy is often used as a vegetable source of protein and as an egg substitute. Organic Soy Grist can be used as an additive for baking bread, for muesli, decorating cakes or just for nibbling. The fine Hensel Organic Soy Flakes fit perfectly in mueslis, stews and casseroles. The product Organic Shredded Soy Minced-Meat-Style offers a plant-based alternative for preparing minced meat dishes such as lasagne, bolognese or chili. Hensel Organic Soy Crunchy Kernels contain roasted unsalted soybeans and are a tasty recommendation for snacking in between. Hensel Organic Soy Products are ideal for vegetarians, friends of the Asian cuisine and are a tasty way to try new things.