You are on the lookout for a new tofu recipe, and you are thinking about adding come healthy tofu to it. However, if you aren’t a fan of blocks of tofu, then consider making a recipe with silken tofu.

The Difference Between Regular Tofu and Silken Tofu

When you shop for tofu, you will notice that there are many different brands of tofu that you can choose from. There is pre-cooked tofu, seasoned, tofu, and plain tofu brands. However, when it comes to categories of tofu, there are two main ones: regular tofu and silken tofu.

Silken tofu is also called Japanese-style tofu, or soft tofu. Silken tofu (hence its name) is of a softer consistency than regular tofu. In fact, it is so soft that if it is not handled correctly, then it will fall apart.

Another way you can easily discern between silken tofu and regular tofu when shopping for it, is that it often comes in aseptic packages that do not need to be refrigerated. Regular tofu is does require refrigeration, and is packaged in water, so be aware that in grocery stores, silken tofu is often not found near the regular tofu, but rather in a special section.

However, a similarity that both silken tofu and regular tofu have, is that they can be found in the same consistencies: extra firm, medium, soft, and firm. Both categories of tofu are made from the same ingredients. However, they cannot be interchanged in a recipe, because each category of tofu is processed differently.

Now, because regular and silken tofu cannot be interchanged in a recipe, then it is important for people to realize that if the former is needed for a recipe, then it will be specifically noted. Although the two main categories of tofu cannot be interchanged, do not worry if your local grocery store only carries one brand of the tofu you need, because each category can be interchanged within itself.

So, when it comes to the kinds of recipes that do use silken tofu, they generally involve desserts, salad dressings, or sauces, since that kind of tofu gives such things a creamy consistency. Remember that this kind of tofu is good for up to a year if the package has not yet been opened, and good for a week (if submerged in water, securely covered, and placed in a refrigerator). Once you get used to silken tofu, no doubt you will be using it in the many different recipes that can use it.