Soy proteins for foods centering around soy sauce and tofu

In the Orient, soy proteins have been used for human consumption for centuries, during which various kinds of unique soy protein foods have been established. Some of these products, such as tofu, have a bland flavor, but there are also those products having a distinctive flavor and an aroma like fermented soy sauce. Both types are acceptable for worldwide populations. In earlier times, the consumption of these soy protein foods in the U.S. was mostly confined to Orientals. Recently, however, the koikuchi type of soy sauce has been consumed widely by non-Orientals through nationwide supermarkets. Annual production in the U.S. has reached more than 16,500 kl. Tofu has also become popular in the U.S. because of its bland flavor which enables it to be used in many dishes. Fermented soy sauce is completely different in the constituents of aroma and flavor from chemical soy sauce. Koikuchi shoyu is a typical Japanese type of fermented soy sauce characterized by a strong, appetizing aroma. The fermentation process consists of koji fermentation byAspergillus species and the subsequent brine fermentation, which contains lactic acid and alcoholic fermentations. Miso is a paste product produced through a similar fermentation. Tofu is a soy milk curd product made through a nonfermented process from soy milk.