Influence of processing parameters on the quality of soycurd (tofu).

Tofu, a non-fermented soybean curd is a nutritious and digestible product with a high quality protein. Tofu making procedure includes soaking of beans, grinding, filtering, boiling, coagulating and moulding. The flavour, quality and the texture of tofu produced is significantly influenced by its processing parameters. Studies were carried out on the processing parameters like solid content of milk, thermal treatment of soybeans with sodium bicarbonate, stirring time after adding coagulant and moulding of tofu on the texture and quality of tofu. Our studies showed that the texture of the final product depended on the solid content of milk before coagulation. Pretreatment of soybeans with sodium bicarbonate, for 10 min and milk obtained with low solid content of 7° Brix resulted in regular, smooth textured tofu with less beany flavour. Duration of stirring during coagulation and moulding parameters had a significant effect on the yield of tofu. Stirring the milk after adding the coagulant for 5 s before settling and pressing the tofu with a load of 1,000 g initially for 15 min followed by 500 g for another 15 min, yielded (22.6 g/100 ml of milk) soft textured firm tofu.