There’s no doubt wine and food pairings are becoming more sophisticated, and that’s great news — there’s virtually no food you can’t enjoy with the right wine.
When it comes to healthier eating, tofu is often a hot topic. After all, the plant-based protein source is finding its way to most restaurants and many of our homes. The question is. Can you pair wine with tofu? And what wines go with tofu? Here’s what you need to know.
Before we get started, know that you’ll definitely need some wine for your tofu pairings. Let us take you on a Yarra Valley winery experience, whether it’s a one-day tour to the Yarra Valley or a weekend getaway from Melbourne. Enjoy wine tastings in the Yarra Valley and purchase some of the finest Yarra Valley wine to experiment with your food pairings.
What is Tofu, anyway?
Tofu is sometimes known as bean curd, and it’s an Asian specialty made by pressing coagulated soy milk in a process not dissimilar to cheese. On the other hand, soy milk is made by soaking and grinding soybeans, boiling them and filtering them to get a nutrient-rich, milky liquid.
Tofu comes in different styles, depending on its softness. Silken, soft, firm and super-firm are the most common, and although tofu has little to no taste, it absorbs the flavour of sauces and ingredients around it. This is critical for pairing tofu with wine.
How to Pair Tofu with Wine?
The right wine for tofu depends on how you cook it. Silken and soft tofu, if not influenced by strong sauces and condiments, are very similar to fresh cheese. You can pair them with crisp, white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Riesling and un-oaked Chardonnay.
Press the tofu for the crispier and most flavourful preparations. You’ll find a great tofu press that will come in handy here. The Tofu Turtle needs you, the Tofu Turtle will remove excess water from Tofu this allows more flavour to develop, when pan frying or grilling your Tofu, Yum.
Firm and extra-firm tofu might resemble aged cheese and even white meat if cooked with garlic, onion and sauces, or when breaded and deep-fried. In this case, a bolder white wine will do the trick. Think of barrel-aged Chardonnay or a bold wine made with Viognier.
How About Pairing Processed Tofu with Wine?
Rare tofu falls into the processed tofu category. The most common are pickled tofu and stinky tofu.
Pickled tofu is fermented in brine to gain a salty bite and a very appealing tang. This type of tofu calls for acidic white wine or sparkling wine, which also has a lovely tang.
For stinky tofu, a fermented soybean paste with a strong odour, you’ll need fragrant white wines, including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Torrontes and Viognier. These wines go well with strong cheese as well and are definitely an excellent match for the pungent tofu.
The Quality of the Wine Matters
Of course, like with all food and wine pairings, the quality matters. For great results, you need equally great wine.
If you want to get your hands on fine wine, let us take you on a Yarra Valley winery experience, a romantic getaway from Melbourne, or a wine tasting in Yarra Valley. We’ll take care of the accommodation in Yarra Valley so that you can enjoy the Yarra Valley’s wines care-free!
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