Almond tofu facts for kids
A bowl of almond tofu
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| Alternative names | Xingren doufu, almond tofu, almond jelly |
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| Type | Pudding |
| Main ingredients | Apricot kernel milk, water, gelling agent (usually agar) |
| Almond tofu | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 杏仁豆腐 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jyutping | hang6 jan4 dau6 fu6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | xìngrén dòufǔ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | apricot kernel tofu | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Japanese name | |||||||||||||||||||
| Kanji | 杏仁豆腐 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kana | あんにんどうふ | ||||||||||||||||||
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Almond tofu (Chinese and Japanese: 杏仁豆腐; pinyin: xìngrén dòufǔ; Cantonese Jyutping: hang6 jan4 dau6 fu6; rōmaji: an'nindōfu) is a yummy, soft dessert. It looks like a jelly or a pudding. It's made from the milk of apricot kernels, a gelling agent called agar, and sugar.
This sweet treat first came from China. Now, it's super popular in nearby places. You can find it in Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It's a bit like the French dessert called blancmange.
Even though it's called "tofu," it doesn't have any soy beans. Real tofu is made from soy beans. The name "tofu" here just means it's a soft, solid food. It's like how some other Asian dishes use "tofu" in their name, even without soy.
People sometimes mix up apricot kernels with almonds. They are different, but they look a bit alike. So, apricot kernel milk is not the same as almond milk.
Making Almond Tofu
How Traditional Almond Tofu is Made
To make traditional almond tofu, you start with apricot kernels. First, they are soaked in water. Then, they are ground up with more water to make a milky liquid.
This liquid is then strained to make it smooth. After that, sugar is added to make it sweet. The mixture is heated with a gelling agent, usually agar. Agar is a plant-based ingredient that helps liquids become solid.
Once the mixture cools down, it turns into a soft, wobbly dessert. It feels a lot like a gelatin dessert.
Different Ways to Make It
The traditional recipe uses agar, which means it's a vegan dessert. This is great for people who don't eat animal products.
But there are many other ways to make almond tofu today. Some recipes use dairy products like milk or cream. They might also add a little bit of flavored extract for taste.
Instead of agar, some people use gelatin. Gelatin is another common gelling agent, but it comes from animals. You can also buy instant mixes for almond tofu. These are often soy-based powders. You just mix them with hot water, and they become solid when they cool.
See Also
In Spanish: Gelatina de almendra para niños
