Tofu Press

A tofu press is a nifty kitchen gadget used to squeeze the water out of a block of tofu. Before you cook tofu, it has to be prepared by having the liquid drained out of it. This is necessary for the tofu to hold its shape if you bake or fry it. With too much liquid in it, the tofu will fall apart!

Pressed tofu absorbs flavor, which makes it taste better. It also has a far superior texture. The drier the tofu is, the crisper you'll get the edges!

Using a tofu press is by far the best way to remove liquid from tofu. Once you've invested in a press and know how to use it, all that's left to do is to begin experimenting with using tofu to whip up all kinds of unique dishes. When it comes to this wonderful food, the variety of options available is endless! 

If you don't have a press, don't despair; you can still get yummy extra firm tofu - a home-made tofu drainer also does the trick, even though it's not as convenient or easy as using a tofu press.

There are various types of tofu presses on the market in different materials like plastic, wood, and stainless steel. A standard tofu squeezer is usually slightly larger than the size of an average tofu block. This makes it compact, so it's easy to store in the fridge while you wait for it to do its magic!

If you're shopping for a tofu strainer, an excellent place to start is to read a few tofu press reviews. This type of input from other tofu-lovers will give you an idea of what they are commenting on and complaining about. You'll soon notice the current trends and what makes a super tofu press. 

The best tofu press will have the following characteristics: 

• It will be manufactured with quality materials, so it's durable and robust.
• The spring mechanism will be robust and made of stainless steel.
• The press should be easy and comfortable to use.
• The press should be simple to clean and to keep clean.
• Compact, so you can put it in the fridge while it's doing its job.
• The pressing mechanism should have different tension levels so that you can use it for both firm and soft tofu.
• The casing should have a transparent base so you can see where the water level is at. This will make it clear when it needs to be drained. 
• The press should have a spout built into it, making it easy to pour the water off when the press becomes too full. Without this, it can get messy!

Tofu makers are there to make your life simpler. It shouldn't be a complicated process to press your tofu! With a well-designed and constructed tofu press like TofuBud, you'll never struggle to get your tofu ready for cooking action!

Buying tofu may seem daunting at first if you're not familiar with this type of food. You may not know what the best tofu to buy is until you begin to experiment. Most people start with a block of firm tofu. 

To make softer foods like vegan mayonnaise, sauces, or a tofu scramble (vegan "scrambled egg"), silken tofu is the way to go. This type of tofu is soft and squishy, so you won't need to use a tofu squeezer unless you only need to drain a tiny bit of liquid. Press it gently for a few minutes! Watch out for over-pressing; it could break this type of tofu apart.

Another option is to buy pre-pressed tofu, which takes the hassle out of preparation. Be mindful, though, even if the tofu is already pre-pressed, it may need to be drained a bit longer for recipes requiring extra firm tofu. But don't worry, tofu that's already been pressed will be ready in minutes!  

If you're unsure where to buy tofu that's already pressed, try doing an online search for local suppliers or online stores.

With a tofu press, it is possible to get extra firm tofu in minutes. A standard block of firm tofu is drained in 15 to 20 minutes with the TofuBud press. If you're not using a tofu strainer, it can take a lot longer, even a few hours!

Manually pressing tofu by wrapping it, wedging it between flat objects, and stacking weights will also work. How long it takes to work is the question, and this depends on how much weight you put on it and the moisture content of the tofu, to begin with. Tofu pressing is far from an exact science!

Luckily, there's a simple way to see if your tofu is ready to be used. Wipe it down with a clean tea towel or kitchen paper. If any moisture is absorbed, it needs a bit more time!