Bao Yuan Dried Tofu

Bao Yuan Dried Tofu

　　Bao Yuan Dried Tofu is a specialty from Bao Yuan Town, Lantian County, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. This dried tofu is fragrant, delicious, and highly nutritious. It is low in cholesterol and fat, and has health benefits such as reducing blood lipids, softening blood vessels, and preventing arteriosclerosis. It is especially popular among middle-aged and elderly people, and has remained a bestseller since its introduction to the market.

　　In Lantian County, when it comes to local specialty foods, "Bao Yuan Dried Tofu" is widely recognized as one of them. In the Bao Yuan Town area, the upper village, located about 2 kilometers from the town center, is home to the highest concentration of well-known traditional tofu workshops. Out of the 167 households in the village, nearly 40 run family workshops that produce dried tofu.

　　In rural areas, soaking soybeans and making tofu products at home might not seem like anything special, but in Lantian County, only "Bao Yuan Dried Tofu" enjoys widespread popularity. Restaurants of all sizes that serve tofu dishes invariably stock "Bao Yuan Tofu" and "Bao Yuan Dried Tofu."

　　The reason behind the fame of "Bao Yuan Dried Tofu." Bao Yuan is located at the source of water, surrounded by green mountains and rich in minerals. The water here is high-quality mineral water. The raw materials for the dried tofu come from soybeans grown in mountainous areas with a growth period of seven to eight months. The yield is relatively low—only fifty to sixty pounds of dried tofu can be produced from every hundred pounds of soybeans. The entire production process follows traditional, natural, and green practices, with no additives used. Wooden buckets are used to hold the soy milk; the coagulant for curdling the tofu comes from naturally fermented soybean juice; and drying is done on natural wooden racks.

　　The mellow water and traditional craftsmanship give "Bao Yuan Dried Tofu" its distinctive qualities: a delicate texture, a chewy yet residue-free mouthfeel, and a firm, long-lasting flavor. It is well-known throughout the region and beyond.