Can you drink the water used to boil tofu pudding after it has been boiled?
Feb 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, tofu whey can be consumed after boiling, but it should be drunk in moderation. Boiling effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that may be present in tofu whey, thereby improving its safety. During the process of making tofu, although most of the proteins coagulate to form tofu curds, some proteins, water-soluble vitamins, and minerals remain in the tofu whey.
Generally speaking, douhua water (the liquid left after making tofu pudding) can be consumed after boiling, but it should be drunk in moderation. A detailed explanation is as follows:
Boiling effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that may exist in douhua water, thereby improving its safety. During the process of making tofu pudding, although most of the proteins coagulate to form the tofu pudding, some proteins, water-soluble vitamins, and minerals remain in the douhua water. These nutrients are largely unaffected during boiling, while microorganisms are killed by the high temperature, making the boiled douhua water more suitable for consumption. Additionally, toxic substances such as saponins that may be present in the douhua water are also destroyed during boiling, thus preventing harm to the human body.
Douhua water after boiling not only becomes safer, but its nutrients also become more easily absorbed by the human body. Douhua water contains various nutrients including iron, calcium, carbohydrates, and plant-based proteins. These components do not diminish significantly after boiling; in fact, they may become more soluble and easier to absorb due to the effect of high temperature. Particularly antioxidants such as soy isoflavones can retain their activity after boiling, offering positive health benefits.
