[ArtSci] tofu and miso

[Osorgarow the Dredful]

Symmonne, a quick google search produced this on tofu, certainly bears checking out but has promise-
I know internet searches aren't ideal for proof of anything, but it does have some references to follow up on. I have one book period mongolian cookbook, will try to find some time to go thru it this weekend, there isn't an index so takes some dedicated time, but am going to be perusing for for red lantern ideas.
will keep you posted-
Oso

from http://www.soya.be/history-of-tofu.php
History of tofu
Tofu history in China - Tofu is very popular in the Orient today
but tofu was first used in China over 2000 years ago. The oldest
evidence of tofu production is a Chinese mural incised on a stone slab.
It shows a kitchen scene that proves that soymilk and tofu were being
made in China during the period A.D. 25-220. The oldest written
reference to tofu appeared in also in China at about A.D. 1500, in a
poem "Ode to Tofu" by Su Ping.


Tofu history in Japan - Kento priests, who went to China to
study Buddhism, brought tofu back to Japan during the Nara era
(710-794). Tofu was eaten as part of a vegetarian diet for priests for
their protein content. The word "tofu" is first mentioned in Japan in
the dairy of the Shinto priest Nakaomi. Tofu was used as an offering at
an altar. In 1489 the word "tofu" was first written in the actual
Japanese characters. Tofu gradually became popular among the nobility
and the samurai class. During the Edo era (1603-1867), tofu became
popular among ordinary people. The cooking book "Tofu Hyakuchin" was
published in 1782 and sold very well.


Tofu history in Western world - In 1603 the Spanish dictionary
"Vocabulario da lingoa de Iapam" was the first European document with
reference to the word "tofu". Domingo Fernandez de Navarrete described
in his book "A Collection of Voyages and Travles" how tofu was made.
The first English reference to tofu was in 1704, when Navarrete's book
was published in English.


Tofu was first produced (non-commercial) in France by Paillieux in
1880. Hirata & Co started to make tofu in San Francisco in 1895.
The first Westerner who produced tofu on a commercial scale was T.A.
Van Gundy in 1929 when he started the company La Sierra Industries in
California.

from the same website
History of miso
Miso's origins can be traced to China as far back as the 4th century
BC. A seasoning, called Hisio, was a paste resulting from the
fermenting a mixture of soybeans, wheat, alcohol and salt.
The written word, miso, first appeared around 800. 


In Japan, miso was introduced the 7th century by buddhist monks. The
process of making miso was further refined and it became a necessary
part of the samurai diet. With the widespread cultivation of rice, miso
has become a staple food for Japanese people. Over the centuries,
different types of miso were developed, often named after the province
where it originated. Well know varieties are shiromiso native to Kyoto,
hatchomiso native to Aichi Prefecture and Shinshu miso produced in the
Nagano Prefecture. According to Japanese mythology, miso is a gift to
mankind from the gods to assure health, longevity and happiness.

Around 1960 miso was introduced in Europe by George Ohsawa. Miso was mainly an ingredient for the macrobiotic kitchen.



> From: symmonne at dragonlore.net

> To: artsci at inlandregion.org
> Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:12:39 -0800
> Subject: Re: [ArtSci] Request for Recipe: Barley Soup
> 
> Thanks, Abby!
> 
> On these cold winter days and nights, I'm thinking soup is just the ticket.
> 
> Question: Is there any source that might tell me/us if miso and tofu are 
> period foods?
> 
> Symmonne
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Artsci mailing list
> Artsci at inlandregion.org
> http://inlandregion.org/mailman/listinfo/artsci_inlandregion.org

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