What is Hairy (Or Fuzzy) Tofu, The Particular Variant of The Famous “Vegan Cheese”

By now you will surely be familiar with tofu, the famous Asian food obtained by curdling and pressing the juice extracted from soybeans: once it was only the prerogative of the Far East, today it is widespread throughout the world and loved especially by those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

But "vegetable cheese"—as it's nicknamed for its resemblance to dairy—is available not only in its classic form but in many different shapes and types. The most unique is the one we're talking about today: hairy tofu. Also called maotofu, it's a typical product from the eastern province of Anhui and is characterized by being covered in a layer of fluff, as well as its strong ammonia-like odor. It's a fermented food obtained through the use of a particular fungus.

What is Hairy Tofu and How Is It Prepared?

Hairy tofu, also known as maotofu or fuzzy tofu, is a variant of tofu native and widespread in the eastern province of Anhui, located in eastern China. What differentiates it from the tofu you know is that its outer layer is covered in thick hair and its odor is much stronger, similar to ammonia.

This depends on the processing used to obtain hairy tofu, which is a particular fermentation process. The starting point is the classic tofu block, which in this case is inoculated with a "good" fungus, Rhizopus oligosporus, the same one used to produce another soy derivative, tempeh.

Once inoculated, the block is left to ferment in a cool, dry place at 60°F/15°C for three days in summer or six days in winter. During this time, both the characteristic smell of hairy tofu and the hairy mycelium from the mushroom from which the product takes its name develop.

How to Use Hairy Tofu in Cooking

Unlike tofu, which generally has a neutral flavor, hairy tofu has a more intense flavor that is particularly reminiscent of gorgonzola or blue cheeses: those who have tasted it assure that it is very tasty, you just have to be able to get past its unconventional appearance.

Despite its stronger flavor, hairy tofu can be used in the same recipes as regular tofu. For example, it's delicious fried, rolled into patties, or used to make  tofu nuggets, a plant-based alternative to classic chicken nuggets.

Just like classic tofu, hairy tofu can be used to prepare main dishes such as burgers or skewers, but it can also be enjoyed as the main ingredient in recipes such as quinoa with vegetables and baked tofu or golden tofu with spring onions, a tasty and surprising Japanese-style recipe.