Tofu is a widely-enjoyed food made from soybeans, and it is a great example of how a simple food like soybeans can be woven into human food traditions in a way that is natural, inexpensive, and nourishing. Tofu is a surprisingly versatile form of soybeans that is made by curdling soymilk so that its proteins become coagulated and then pressed into a sliceable cake. Even though very little tofu sold in the U.S. has been fermented, it is also possible for tofu to be made not only through coagulation, but also through fermentation—i.e., through the addition of micro-organisms which can interact with the soy curds. (There are many health advantages to the fermentation of soy foods, and these advantages will be described in more detail throughout this food profile.)