Tempeh: Indonesia’s essential vegan ingredient

Our customers are increasingly telling us that they want to enjoy a more plant-based diet. This is great news for both health and environmental reasons – and we, at Sing Kee Foods, are happy to help make this lifestyle choice as smooth and flavoursome as possible.

On that note, let us introduce tempeh, explaining what it is and how it can be used to create Asian-inspired vegan classics.

What is tempeh?

Originating from Indonesia, tempeh is made from cooking whole soya beans, which are then compressed together and fermented to form sliceable oblong blocks. While these beans can sometimes be difficult to digest, the fermentation process involved in making tempeh allows the enzymes in your stomach to take full advantage of soya’s nutritional qualities.

It is an excellent source of protein, equivalent to meat, milk and eggs, which explains why it is becoming the staple ingredient of choice in many vegetarian and vegan diets. High in prebiotics and calcium, it also contains more protein, dietary fibre and vitamins than tofu, another product made from soya beans, while providing all of the essential amino acids.

Being much less processed than tofu and with less fat, it’s healthier too. Furthermore, the fat it does contain is mostly unsaturated, meaning that a tempeh-rich diet can help to lower cholesterol and improve heart health.

Cooking with tempeh

On its own, tempeh has a slightly nutty flavour with an undertow of mushrooms and cheese. Like tofu, however, it absorbs the flavours of whatever it’s cooked with, while also maintaining a firm texture, which makes it ideal for meat-free burgers. It can also be added to stir-fries or crumbled into casseroles and sauces.

In Asia, especially Indonesia, tempeh is cooked is innumerable ways. It is deep-fried and consumed as a fast-food snack, like a bag of chips. It is also smothered in hot sauces made from fresh garlic and fiery chillies. It can even be eaten as a sweet confection made with Javanese sugar and the sap of coconut palms.

Here, at Sing Kee Foods, we are committed to supporting our customers looking for delicious vegetarian and vegan options in the kitchen. Among our favourite recipes is that for vegan-friendly teriyaki tempeh, which is as easy to make as it is mouth-watering.

For more tasty vegetarian and vegan recipe ideas, visit our website or our Facebook and YouTube pages.

Where can I buy tempeh?

The simple answer is from Sing Kee Foods! Check out the product information and price here.

We are proud to offer our customers one of the best and more diverse selections of food and drink products from the Far East anywhere in the UK, including an ever-expanding vegan range. Check out our website today and let us help you turn dinner into an extra-special occasion.