I finally got a chance to try the new soy-free hemp tofu from Tempt.
I finally got a chance to try the new soy-free hemp tofu from Tempt.Soy gets a bad rep in the food world, and not all of it is deserved. My friend Tanya Sitton did a great piece on soy and health for Eat Drink Better, and I hope you'll give it a read. She looks at some of the critiques about soy and does some good, old-fashion debunking.
Soy-free tofu is something I've been interested in for a long time. Ever since making tofu with my girlfriends, I've wondered about making it from beans other than soy.
More about tofu: Making Tofu from Scratch, Chickpea-Based Tofu Alternative
I don't think that soy deserves the vitriol it gets in the media, but I'm partial to the idea of "everything in moderation." The thing is, I'm also partial to tofu. Dave and I probably go through three to five blocks of the stuff every week, and now that Darrol is doing finger food, we buy even more. Cubed tofu is one of my little guy's favorite things!
Hemp Tofu Review
I bought the Chimichurri seasoned Hemp Tofu from Tempt, and to test it out I had it for lunch. I prepared it super simply, just like I would a soy-based seasoned tofu: sliced into pieces with a side of Sriracha-avocado salad.
You guys, I wanted so badly to try this and fall instantly in love. I love tofu, and I love hemp's nutritional superpowers. I had visions of stir fries running through my head. Tempt's hemp tofu was kind of a let-down, though.
I think that calling this product tofu does it a disservice. It's texturally a lot more like tempeh, but I think calling it a mini hemp loaf would be more accurate. It has a grainy texture that I wouldn't have minded if I hadn't been expecting smooth, creamy tofu.
Here's a shot of the ingredients and nutritional info for the hemp tofu.
Wondering what gellan gum is? Read my piece on that ingredient at Eat Drink Better!
My friend Elena from Vegan ESP commented on Facebook when I mentioned picking up this tofu. She said she'd tried a different variety, and found it bland. I thought the chimichurri flavor was pretty nonexistant in the block that I picked up. It tasted a lot better after I doused it in balsamic vinegar and nooch:
Honestly, I'm not sure that I'd buy hemp tofu again. It's kind of pricey, and I'm not worried enough about the amount of tofu that I'm eating right now to replace it with something that I don't like as much.
Have any of you guys tried Tempt's Hemp Tofu? Did you like it? How did you prepare it?
Leni
I used Tempt hemp tofu in miso soup. Gak! It dissolved into tiny particles and turned the soup gelatinous. It sounds like folks have had luck with other recipes, but leave it outta your miso soup!!
Becky Striepe
That is good to know, Leni! I haven't bought it since that initial taste test lol
Diane
I tossed cubes in nutritional yeast garlic salt and olive oil and air fried it
Cut up and put on riced sweet potatoe
It was yum! The sweetness went well with it! I ate the whole block
Becky Striepe
Ooh I should try it with nooch!
Roisin (Dolores) Grant
This is really good. It is advised to boil it first for a short period to take away the bitter taste. I do and works. I love this hempeh. Much better than the soy versions. I cook different ways and add different flavors.. I love it. just wish it was cheaper
Heather
I just tried it. Its aweful. I was going to make it in a pot pie. I opened the package and it smelled so bad. I thought i would see if it would be better fried. No. The texture is also unreliable.
I personally Have lots of uses for tempeh but my kids have always hated it and I think of it as the liver alternative for vegans.
The hemp tofu is worse. Like the foi gras or haggis or monkey brains alternative for vegans.
Yish
Lmfao. Yes! This review is spot on.