Where Can I Buy Tempeh? It’s Time To Explore And Learn!
Does Tempeh sound familiar to you? If you haven’t, then I’m not alone! Today is our lucky day for we are going to learn something new. I’m sure though that you have heard about tofu, soy sauce, and soy milk. They all come from soybeans. And Tempeh is part of their family too!
Tempeh is an Indonesian soy food that has a hearty, earthy and meaty taste with a tender texture that’s so similar to mushrooms. Like tofu, it can also be used in many dishes that you like. Since I love tofu, I am excited to learn how tempeh tastes like. Where can I buy Tempeh? Do you happen to know where?
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Some Facts About Tempeh
Do You Like To Know About Its Origin?
Tempeh originally is from the island of Java, Indonesia. This is a local delicacy that’s being enjoyed by Indonesians way back hundreds of years ago, until today.
A good substitute for meat, it’s already a part of their culture to make tempeh as their source of protein in every meal.
How Is It Made?
Tempeh is made from fermented soybeans. It helps break down the beans and makes it easier to digest. First, the beans are cracked, cooked and left for fermentation. Fermentation will take an average of 18 hours at room temperature.
Fermentation made the beans packed and bind together into a cake-like form. This process makes the soybeans easy to digest, packed with proteins, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The robust savor of this flexible plant protein makes Tempeh a perfect vegetarian ingredient and an ideal alternative for meat in many dishes.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Tempeh?
Now, are you wondering if you need to buy Tempeh or not? Let’s explore the goodness it gives to our body.
- It contains probiotics that create a self-protective lining in our intestines and shields us from pathogenic factors.
- It increases our antibodies for a stronger immune system.
- Decreases cholesterol and increases bone density.
- Lessens menopausal aymptoms and controls appetite.
- Delivers muscle building protein and diabetes-fighting manganese.
- Treats cancer and inflammatory diseases.
I bet you want to have some!
Where Can You Buy Tempeh?
After discovering how healthy a food Tempeh can be, you’re now speculating where to find and buy them. Aren’t you?
You’ll see in the local market that it’s being sold, rolled into banana leaves. However, you’ll be lucky to buy it that way nowadays. Though I like the traditional way, currently it’s commonly seen shrink-wrapped with plastic packages inside the fridge section of the supermarket.
Health food stores are more likely to sell Tempeh. You’ll even be amazed that you can buy them online. Of course, even frozen, Tempeh is highly perishable so it can only be shipped or delivered to selected areas.
As you open the package, Tempeh looks a beige hue with dark area or spots as a result of the fermentation method. It’s not hard to find Tempeh in every variety. You’ll be surprised to know that you can buy it natural, flavored, grilled or even barbecued.
- Remember: When buying, you need to know that the beige color is an indication of freshness. A few dark spots are molds, and it’s fine. You can easily take it out before cooking. A fresh Tempeh would smell light and sweet like a soy milk.
- If you see too many molds or dark spots, smells sour, sticky or slimy and does not appear fresh and clean at all, return it to the supermarket or just toss it out.
How To Make Homemade Tempeh?
Here is something awesome. If you found out that Tempeh is not really available in the supermarkets near you, you can, in fact, learn how to make them. Do you think it would be best to make one ourselves?
Here’s a short video showing how to make tempeh. Let’s take a look and learn.
Tempeh is best for sandwiches, salads, cubed, sautéed, stir-fried, tempeh bacon, mimicking meat (substitute) and dishes that are spicy like curry. Better decide what you’re going to make first.
Don’t forget that the taste of Tempeh is a little exceptional. You’ve got to get used to it before you can say it’s really delicious. But of course, we have different tastes. It took me a long while to enjoy tofu with its smell. I’m going to find out how it is with tempeh.
Did you learn enough about this short adventure with Tempeh? Have you chosen a recipe that you plan to make tonight? Knowing that you already know where to buy tempeh, you can cook it anytime you like. Care to share some to us?
About the Author Rose
There’s nothing in this world that excites me more other than cooking. From appetizers to desserts, since then, I’ve always been passionate on making foods.