Plant Milks
Tofu in gelato
Tofu is coagulated soy-milk curd, a soft white block that is roughly 85% water with about 8% plant protein and 5% fat. In gelato it serves as a neutral, dairy-free base solid that adds body, creaminess, and protein to vegan and plant-based recipes.
Balancing parameters
Per 100 g of product, verified against independent food-science sources (listed below).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Solids | 15.4% |
| Water | 84.6% |
| Sugars | 0.6% |
| Fat | 4.8% |
| MSNF | 0% |
| Protein | 8.1% |
| POD (sweetening power) | 0.6 |
| PAC (anti-freezing power) | 0.6 |
Typical use: 10-25% of the mix in vegan/plant-based recipes
Balance tofu in a real recipe
Free balancer · no signup wall · watch PAC, POD and Total Solids update live as you add it.
Open the balancerHow to use it in gelato
In plant-based gelato, soft or silken tofu is blended completely smooth and used as a dairy replacer. It contributes about 8 g protein and 5 g fat per 100 g, building body and a creamy, non-dairy mouthfeel while its protein aids emulsification and helps restrain ice-crystal growth. Because its sugar content is negligible (about 0.6 g/100 g), tofu adds almost nothing to PAC or POD, so freezing-point depression and sweetness must be built entirely from the added sugars around it. Balance the remaining sugars, fat, and stabilizers to the target PAC, and blend thoroughly to avoid a grainy or beany texture.
Origin & background
Tofu originated in China and has been produced for well over a thousand years. The earliest clear written references appear in Chinese records of the Song dynasty (10th-11th century), while a popular legend credits its invention to Prince Liu An of Huainan during the Han dynasty (2nd century BCE). It later spread across East Asia, becoming a dietary staple in Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 172475 — Tofu, raw, regular, prepared with calcium sulfate (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/172475/nutrients)
- https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Tofu%2C_prepared_with_calcium_sulfate%2C_regular%2C_raw_nutritional_value.html
- https://foodstruct.com/food/tofu-raw-regular-preparedwithcalciumsulfate
- https://tools.myfooddata.com/nutrition-facts/172475/wt3