Taihe Tofu

Taihe Tofu

　　Taihe Tofu is a specialty of Taihe Town, Liangzihu District, Ezhou City, Hubei Province.

　　Taihe Tofu has a long production history, with related records dating back to the Three Kingdoms period. The region where Taihe Tofu is produced is Taihe Town in Liangzihu District, Ezhou City, Hubei Province, specifically including Taihe Neighborhood Committee, Xiebu Village, Jinli Village, Xincheng Village, Xiepei Village, Kefan Village, Nongke Village, Malong Village, Chaoying Village, Zitan Village, Xinjian Village, and Xinwu Village. This area enjoys distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, ample sunlight, and a long frost-free period. The annual average temperature is 17°C, the absolute minimum temperature is ≥ -7°C, the average January temperature is ≥ 4°C, the annual accumulated temperature above 10°C is over 5000°C, the annual precipitation is 1282.8 mm, the frost-free period lasts 266 days, the annual sunshine duration is 2003.8 hours, and the total solar radiation is 110.3 kcal/cm². The soil is mainly red-yellow loam, rich in selenium with organic matter content exceeding 1%, deep soil layers with a plow layer over 60 cm, groundwater level below 1 m, and soil pH between 5.5–7.5, producing high-quality soybeans.

　　 The water used to produce Taihe Tofu comes from Liangzihu Lake and underground springs in Taihe Town, Liangzihu District, Ezhou City. It is pure and rich in minerals, with a pH of around 6.8. Taihe Tofu features a unique flavor, simple production process, and convenient preparation. The tofu is high in protein and low in fat, and is known to help lower blood pressure, blood lipids, and cholesterol. It can be eaten cooked or raw, suits all ages, and is a healthy, life-extending delicacy. With premium soybeans and water sources, coupled with meticulous production techniques, Taihe Tofu boasts distinctive qualities: snow-white in color, soft and smooth on the palate, fragrant, slightly sweet, holds its shape even when cooked for a long time, leaves no residue, and is rich in various vitamins, 16 essential amino acids, as well as elements such as phosphorus, potassium, iron, and calcium—offering high nutritional value.