Stinky Tofu:Why Does Stinky Tofu Let the Human Love and Hate?
Unforgettable flavor－Stinky Tofu:Why does stinky tofu let the human love and hate?
Author:
Fang YuꢀChi(方毓祺)。National Tainan Commercial Vocational Senior High
School。Apply Foreign Language 3B
Syu WunꢀYi(許文怡)。National Tainan Commercial Vocational Senior High
School。Apply Foreign Language 3B
Liu YaꢀJhen(劉雅禎)。National Tainan Commercial Vocational Senior High School。
Apply Foreign Language 3B
Instructor:Huang YanꢀHong(黃燕鴻老師) Unforgettable flavor－Stinky Tofu:Why does stinky tofu let the human love and hate?
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Research Background
Food is what matters to the people, and the good food is too numerous to mention in the world. Especially the Chinese traditional good food spreads most widely in this multiplex global village. The good food and the culture exchange mutually between country and country, and then become creative and changeable delicacies which are distinctive. The Chinese invented the food which raises the face to improve looks and nutrition－tofu. Tofu is one of the main foods in Vietnam, Thailand, South
Korea and Japan and so on. Along with the East and West cultural exchange, people can buy tofu at some markets. Each region develops all kinds of different tofu ingredients such as Japanese soft tofu, Korean kimchi tofu, Guangdong deepꢀfried tofu, Chinese bean jelly and Taiwan deepꢀfried tofu. The fresh tofu through the fermentation, pickled, fried and many processes, and combination of sourꢀsweet and mouthꢀwatering kimchi. These two food seem very ordinary, and do not connect, but they match actually make the human for it exclamation. After the elder evolves, it becomes the famous Chinese traditional snack nowadays－Stinky Tofu.
B. Research Motive
Once I led my foreign friend to taste the local Taiwan snack at Tainan Garden night market. When we approached the stinky tofu vendor gradually, my friend pinched the nose to pass through fast suddenly and say, “What is that disgusting smell? ”
Suddenly, I was very surprised at his words. I remember when I was a kid, there was an old lady who always pushed the stinky tofu car and hawked people to buy it near my home in evening. As long as I heard the familiar sound “ Stin~ky tofu ” , the neighbor would turn out in full strength, and stood in line with big dishes in their hands to buy stinky tofu. I am so confused that why the view of stinky tofu is difference between at home and abroad.
Stinky tofu is a traditional street food which is popular to the people in Taiwan, because stinky tofu has crispy covering and soft stuffing. Furthermore, the smell of stinky tofu is beyond description so that it is delicious and yummy to some people.
We can find the trace of stinky tofu at night markets, roadside food stands and everywhere in Taiwan. So the charm of stinky tofu is incomparable! However, why do most of foreigners and some people who don’t like stinky tofu avoid it like the plague?
Where does stinky tofu actually come from? How does its mysterious flavor from?
Let us further explore stinky tofu which makes people love and hate it?
1Unforgettable flavor－Stinky Tofu:Why does stinky tofu let the human love and hate?
C. Main Research Questions
When you stroll on the street, the special smell of stinky tofu always flutters from the great distance. Some people pinch the nose to pass through fast, but some are attracted by the fragrance. Everyone knows that stinky tofu is one of Taiwan's top ten snacks.
People possibly only hear stinky tofu coming from China, but do you know where stinky Tofu came from at first? And where did the way of eat stinky tofu with kimchi come form? With the differences of eating habits among different places, the making methods of stinky tofu and the ways to eat also have the quite big differences, so how many kinds of stinky tofu and how many way to eat it? Without a doubt, as we think the stinky tofu, we will associate with fried food. The conception of common tradition, we always think fried food is not good for people’s body, but according to the medical research report, in fact, stinky tofu is good for people’s health. It includes Probiotic which is more than yoghourt. Do you want to know more about the influences of stinky tofu on people’s health? And what is the evaluation of stinky tofu from everyone?
D. Research Method
To know more about stinky tofu, we find the information from Internet and the books of library, and got the answers of Q1 and Q3, the key words we used to search for are
“the origin of stinky tofu “ and “the influence of stinky tofu on people’s health”.
Furthermore, to study Q2, we visited some stinky tofu vendors which are wellꢀknown in Tainan’s night markets, and made reference to a number of books on the stinky tofu cuisine Introduction. Then we made a questionnaire survey to gain access to the views of Tainan City 100 passersꢀby on the street about whether they accept stinky tofu or not, then according to the contents of the questionnaire, to understand the stinky tofu in everyone’s hearts, and got the answers of Q4. Through these processes, we have a better understanding of the stinky tofu.
II. Thesis
A. Where did stinky tofu come from?
1. The origin of stinky tofu
In fact, with regard to the origin of stinky tofu was in the Qing dynasty Kangxi reign, the number one scholar, Wang Jhihꢀhe, who came from Anhui Xianyuan County went
2Unforgettable flavor－Stinky Tofu:Why does stinky tofu let the human love and hate? to Beijing to take the exam. Unfortunately, he flunked a competitive examination for a job. However, he had no money to return home, so he stayed at Beijing. Just his home ran tofu workshop, so he made a living for running tofu shop in Beijing. However, business was poor so that he accumulated a lot of stocks. Accordingly, he cut tofu into small pieces, then he put tofu in the earthen jar, planning to made tofu into fermented bean curd. After a few days, he opened the earthen jar. He found that tofu didn’t make into fermented bean curd; however, it became very smelly and turned cyan. After tasting, he found it is very delicious. Therefore, he decided to sell stinky tofu. To his surprise, many customers loved it very much. As a result, stinky tofu began to spread to the world. By the late Qing dynasty, even the Empress Dowager Cixi also loved stinky tofu. She even listed it in the imperial dishes. But she said stinky tofu didn’t sound good, so she changed its name. Since its color was cyan and its squareꢀshaped feature, she renamed “cing fang”.
(Evchen, 2007) (Dajiyuan, 2003)
B. How many kinds of Stinky Tofu and how many ways to make it?
1. the practice of stinky tofu
Stinky tofu is the food which spreads in the Chinese region and around the world.
With the different eating habits in different places, production methods of stinky tofu are different in every area. According to Wikipedia, stinky tofu is a fermented product. Let originally colorless and tasteless tofu fermented naturally. Fresh tofu is usually soaked in foul brine. Stinky brew of bacteria and fungi break down the protein tofu. Tofu organizational slack and absorb the special smell. Then become the formation of today's stinky tofu.
Production method of flow chart
Stinky marinated water for natural fermentation.
↓
Cut fresh tofu into small pieces, and put it on the white middle.
↓
Pack tofu tight and reorganizes the corner.
↓
Put it on the wood board neatly.
↓
Put weight on it all night.
3Unforgettable flavor－Stinky Tofu:Why does stinky tofu let the human love and hate?
↓
Then take the dried bean curd in the stinky brew some days and seal it.
↓
Stinky tofu is complete.
(Wikipedia, 2009)
2. The types of stinky tofu
Taiwan commonly deepꢀfried stinky tofu is commonly used means consumption, generally trafficked from the stinky tofu vendors, pickled off the habit of using highꢀtemperature deepꢀfried tofu. Crispy skin with sweet and sour pickles in Taiwan, can remove the greasy feeling fried stinky tofu. In addition to other deepꢀfried, there are many types of stinky tofu. Spicy stinky tofu is the latest Taiwan in recent years of eating with duck blood, sauerkraut, rich spicy soup with stinky tofu distinctive smell, so that we loved deeply spicy tofu. Steamed stinky tofu is the heavy smell of stinky tofu to join in a light soup with steamed cooking methods, so that can not accept the smell of stinky tofu stinky goers can also enjoy delicious. China Shenkeng with BBQ tofu is known to use thin bamboo sticks through the stinky tofu, coated with barbecue sauce, then bake a few minutes on the charcoal, as woodꢀfired, and barbecue sauce, so that the smell of stinky tofu had been covered, not Those who dare to eat stinky tofu can also try the night market in Taiwan, also see figure BBQ stinky tofu. Therefore, the types of tofu can be said that the everꢀchanging.
3.The following are all kinds of stinky tofu production method: a. Spicy stinky tofu
Materials: Stinky Tofu, Meat, Dried fish,
Shallots, Coriander, Miso, Paprika, sesame oil,
Peppercorns, Chili Oil.
“Spicy stinky tofu” Production Method:
(1) Stinky tofu with a toothpick to poke holes.
(2) With 2 tablespoons of sesame oil saute the peppercorns, fish out the part of the peppercorns. ●Spicy stinky tofu
(3) Add four double pig meat grinder and a twoꢀtier dry fry the fish, and then poured into 10 cups broth.
(4) Add spicy oil and 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 3 tablespoons of miso 1 teaspoon of sugar, and eight pieces of stinky tofu.
4Unforgettable flavor－Stinky Tofu:Why does stinky tofu let the human love and hate?
(5) Bring to the boil into the ceramic pot, a small Simmer 1 hour to complete.
(bysoCITY,2008) (BBS,2005) b. Steamed stinky tofu
Main materials: green beans, ham, mushrooms, sesame oil , preserved vegetables, pepper, chicken powder, stinky tofu, sugar, rice wine, soy sauce
“Steamed stinky tofu” Production Method: ●Steamed stinky tofu
(1) Wash green beans, ham, mushrooms and remove the root cuts.
(2) Wash the tofu, chopped them into the steamer in, then add mushrooms, preserved vegetables, ham, 3 tablespoons of water and a little soy sauce.
(3) Put stinky tofu on the steamer and steam 6 minutes.
(5) Before finishing, put some sesame oil on the stinky tofu.
(Sung,1989) (Kikkoman,2009) c. Carbonꢀroast Stinky tofu
Main materials:
Stinky tofu, kimchi, mashed garlic, chili sauce, mustard sauce, smokeꢀfree carbon, coarse black pepper, coriander, soy sauce
Sauce materials: ●Carbonꢀroast Stinky tofu
Guangdong Shantou barbecue sauce 3 tablespoons, soy sauce 5 tablespoons, fine granulated sugar 1 tablespoon, mashed garlic 2 tablespoons, peanut powder 2 tablespoons, few licorice powders
“Carbonꢀroast Stinky tofu” Production Method:
(1) stir sauce materials.
(2) deepꢀfried stinky tofu till it turns golden crisp and then put it the pot to drain the oil, hollow out the middle of stinky tofu, put proper kimchi, string two stinky tofu.
(3) put stinky tofu on the oven, brush sauce, roast it till tasty and have aroma, scatter coarse black pepper and coriander, place on the plate. When you eat, you can add some chili sauce and mustard sauce.
(BBS,2008) (flickr,2010)
5Unforgettable flavor－Stinky Tofu:Why does stinky tofu let the human love and hate?
C. What is the influence of stinky tofu on people’s health?
1. Physical health benefits of stinky tofu. a. Adjusts effect which the intestinal tract and is good for the stomach.
Stinky tofu has many benefits to our health. According to "Kang Jian" magazine, there are a lot of plantꢀderived lactic acid bacteria in stinky tofu. Lactic acid bacteria can produce a natural antibiotic, regulate intestinal and is good for the stomach. b. Containing soy isoflavones
In the stinky fermentation process, proteins will be broken down into various amino acids and produce yeast and other materials. Stinky tofu is low in saturated fat and no cholesterol. It contains unique health components in soybean ─ soy isoflavones, which are said to have higher nutritional value than cheese. c. Boost the immune system and to improve constipation and bloating.
According to Zhong Guang news website, recently, a physician noted that Tofu contains 10ꢀ20 kinds of probiotics which has higher content than yogurt. Eating raw tofu can suppress the bad bacteria and boost the immune system. It can also improve constipation and bloating. So, unlike most people's idea of it, stinky tofu still contains benefits to our health.
(NFDAILY,2009)
2. Physical health disadvantages of stinky tofu. a. Stinky tofu + reꢀuse oil = Cancer
In recent years, we often see newspaper and magazine reports the blackꢀhearted stinky tofu. Stinky tofu must pass through fries in oil. Although vendors claimed that they never use reꢀuse oil, use oil in high temperature for some time will lead to unsaturated bonds produce and become easy to get cancer. During the manufacturing process, because stinky tofu has to go through many complicated steps, it will be more vulnerable to bacterial contamination in the fermentation process. The ingredient of stinky tofu─kimchi, which quality is usually mixed. General kimchi factory has a highꢀtemperature boiler equipment sterilization, but vendors are impossible to spend
6Unforgettable flavor－Stinky Tofu:Why does stinky tofu let the human love and hate? so much money to buy the equipment, so stinky tofu is very susceptible to bacterial infections.
(Life News,2008)
III. The result of Stinky tofu’s questionnaire
1. How old are you?
□10~20 □21~30 □ 31~40 □up40
We chose thirty teachers and students from National
89
90
Tainan Commercial Senior High School and chose
80
70 thirty passersby on Beimen road in Tainan at
60 random and chose forty people at the door of 50
40
Tainan’s Shin Kong Mitsukoshi at random to
30 answer this questionnaire. We investigated fifty
20
10
0
11 people from ten to twenty, twenty two people from twenty one to thirty, twelve people from thirty one to forty, sixteen people from up forty. Graphic one Age
Yes No
2. Which flavor of stinky tofu do you like to eat?
□fried □spicy □steamed □BBQ
According to the picture, we can make a conclusion that 54% people like to eat deepꢀfried stinky tofu, 20% people like to eat spicy stinky tofu, 15% people like to eat
1% fried
10%
15% spicy steamed stinky tofu, 10% people like to eat
BBQ stinky tofu, and only 1% people don’t like to eat all of them. We can know the taste of deepꢀfried stinky tofu is the most popular. We make a conclusion that it is because street vendors sell deepꢀfried stinky Graphic four The flavors tofu most often. As a result, the general public loves to eat stinky tofu. steamed
54%
BBQ
20% none of which
5.What do you think the effect of stinky tofu on the body?
□Beneficial □No impact □Harm
7Unforgettable flavor－Stinky Tofu:Why does stinky tofu let the human love and hate?
Based on the diagram shows 100 people, 79 people think tofu has no effect on health, there are 11 people feel that tofu impact on the health disadvantages, and the 79
80 remaining 10 people think that tofu is good for their
60 health benefits. From our literature that, in fact, human health benefits of tofu have disadvantages,
40 but most people thought that eating tofu little impact
20
0
11
10 on health, we can see most people eating tofu does not take into account when Its health effects.
Beneficial No impact Harm
Graphic five the effect of stinky tofu on the body
3. Which of the following do you think of food probiotics (for human nutritional value) the highest levels?
□yoghourt □Raw (not fried) stinky tofu □deepꢀfried stinky tofu
From the figure we can see that 100
80
80 people surveyed, 80 people believe that a 70 probiotic yogurt contains the highest
60
50 content of 18 people think not been
40 deepꢀfried stinky tofu, the highest content
30
18
20 of probiotics. However, according to our
2
10
0literature shows, in fact, raw (not fried) tofu is the highest content of the three probiotics in food, can be seen that the general public awareness of the stinky Graphic six Comparison tofu is not very thorough. of the contents yoghourt Raw stinky deep-fried tofu stinky tofu
4. Do you think stinky tofu can be crowned as Taiwan’s top ten snacks?
□Yes □No
89
100
80
60
40
20
0
Based on the diagram shows, among 100 people, there are 89 people think stinky tofu is able to be crowned as Taiwan’s top ten snakes.
Only 11 people think it can’t get the list of Taiwan’s ten top snacks. Most people think the reason why stinky tofu can be crowned as
Taiwan’s top ten snacks is because stinky tofu is delicious and smells good and has
11
Yes No
Graphic seven Agree or disagree
8Unforgettable flavor－Stinky Tofu:Why does stinky tofu let the human love and hate? unique flavor. Nonetheless, few people think it very smelly, disgusting and unsanitary.
Therefore, we believe that stinky tofu still plays an important role in Taiwanese minds.
IV. Conclusion
In the questionnaire, we chose 100 people at random, knowing that most people can accept stinky tofu and they ate it once a month on average. Their favorite flavor is deepꢀfried stinky tofu and they think stinky tofu doesn’t affect physical health. They feel the content of probiotic yogurt is higher than stinky tofu and more than half people think stinky tofu can be crowned as Taiwan’s top ten snacks.
The general public thinks stinky tofu has no influence on physical health.
However, according to our survey data, we found that stinky tofu can mediate gastrointestinal function. Eating stinky tofu that has not been deepꢀfried can also boost the immune system and improve constipation and abdominal distention effectively. Therefore, if you have these problems, we suggest that you eat raw stinky tofu.
V. References
A. Content
1.Sung, D.S. (1989). Jiang Je Dishes. Taipei city: Han Guang Book Inc. P.65.
2.Evchen。臭豆腐的由來。香港論壇。2007 年 8 月 31 日，取自
tid=730125
3.大紀元。美食文化:臭豆腐的由來。2003 年 11 月 14 日，取自
4.維基百科。臭豆腐。2009 年 6 月 30 日，取自
5.NFDAILY。吃出健康：臭豆腐營養勝奶酪。2009 年 3 月 10 日，取自
6.生命時報。2008 年 9 月 2 日第 09 版，取自
7.台灣小吃ꢀ摩尼 BBS 討論區。碳烤臭豆腐。2008 年 9 月 18 日，取自