Zhenze Black Dried Tofu

Zhenze Black Dried Tofu

　　With a texture that is “soft yet chewy, firm and fragrant without losing tenderness, salty and savory with a hint of sweetness,” black dried tofu is a famous specialty of Zhenze Town in Wujiang. Visiting Zhenze without trying black dried tofu is like going to Beijing without eating Peking duck or to Yangzhou without tasting lion’s head meatballs.

　　　　Legend has it that among the local specialties presented by the magistrate of Wudong when Emperor Qianlong made his southern inspection tour, black dried tofu was included. After tasting it, Emperor Qianlong praised it highly. From then on, black dried tofu became a tribute item, and a signboard painted in black lacquer with golden characters reading “Tribute Tea Tofu” was specially erected in the shop.

　　　　Making black dried tofu starts with selecting high-quality soybeans, which are then processed through a strict series of steps to make white dried tofu. This white dried tofu is only semi-finished. It is then seasoned and simmered with various spices. After the first round of cooking, it is taken out and glazed with a natural caramel color made from maltose. Only after this second processing does the final product—a jet-black, glossy, richly aromatic black dried tofu—come into being.