Is Tempeh Better than Tofu? - Part 1 – Food Variety 30

We have talked about tofu at previous postings:

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 1

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 2

Fig 01- Tempeh (left) and Tofu (right), credit to Chatalaine

Tempeh is Indonesian traditional foods, and you may find this food everywhere, sold by the big restaurants to street vendors.

Some people eat Tempeh as a snack. Good snacks while drink a cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon.

In fact, Tempeh is cooked soybeans which are bonded by fermented process. Tempeh looks like a cake form as the end result of fermentation.

Fermentation process took several days, hence make Tempeh texture (grainy) and flavor (nutty and earthy) are different than Tofu.

Fig 02- The raw tofu, and its slices

Tempeh Vs Tofu Health Benefits:

- Tempeh is a tremendous source of protein, with around 15 grams in just half a cup.

- It also offers an excellent amount of fibre with 3.5 grams in half a cup, compared to tofu’s 0.5 gram.

Fig 03- Tempeh, sold in the Walmart grocery

What else the health benefits of Tempeh Vs Tofu?

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Bee Swarm Removing Cost – Part 2- Gardening and Hobby 23 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Women Equality as Conflict Paradigm Example – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Using Woods for Fireplace in the Winter – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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Homemade Local Pecan Candy - Part 1 - Food Variety 29

I bought pecan candies from a small vendor sold at the corner of our neighborhood long time ago. He said the candies are made by himself.

Fig 01- Pecan candies on the plate

It was first time I tasted pecan candies, the special candy from Louisiana. I can not eat more than two, since they are so sweet for me, due to higher sugar content.

Based on report from SparkRecipes (2023: Calories in Pecan Pralines Candy) that calories content per serving candy (18.92 gram equal to 0.7 oz) is 131 calories. Quite higher, I think.

Bsic ingredients of pecan candy are granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, butter, salt and evaporated milk.

Fig 02- The ceramic teapot, illustration only

Pecan is a tree, native to southern parts (states) of USA such as:

- Georgia

- Texas

- Mississippi

- Alabama

- Arkansas

- Arizona

- California

- Florida

- Louisiana

Fig 03- Candies inside boxes.

Scientific name of Pecan tree is Carya illinoinensis. The trees produce nut, also called as “pecan.”

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Understanding Diseases in Human Body through Knockout Genes – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- America is Top Importer of Ornamental Fish – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Understanding Diseases in Human Body through Knockout Genes – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- America is Top Importer of Ornamental Fish – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 1 - Food Variety 28

The pink salt is quite popular in our neighborhood and areas since last couple years, especially for teenagers.

Fig 01- Pink salt in the bottles

I don’t know the real reasons, for sure that the salt has attractive color (pink) and come from far away, Himalayan Mountains.

It also called as the Himalayan salt. You might be wonder: why Himalayan salt is pink?

The simple answer is that a pink color is due to concentration of iron oxide or other trace minerals in the salt.

Other trace mineral includes potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Fig 02- A corner of shopping center, illustration

Since it has higher demands in the market, the price of pink salt to be expensive than regular ones.

Fig 03- The Pink salt, sold in Walmart.

It is said that pink salt is the cleanest salt in the planet, contain less sodium, and used for variety purposes include to cook (culinary uses), preserve meat and fish, and therapeutic purposes.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Our City in the Late Spring of 2021- Gardening

- May an Organism has both Female and Male Sexes?

- 100% of Gibraltar Adult Population had been Vaccinated – Virus 38 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Are there Non Royal Statues Surrounding the Pyramid? - Art 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Wild Berries Grow Well in Our Backyard - Food

Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 2 - Food Variety 27

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 1 - Food Variety 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Tamarind fruit in the wood basket

Pulp in the fruit is edible. Taste of pulp depend on the stage development of fruits:

- green young fruit is sour in taste

- brown mature fruit is sweet and tangy in taste.

The fruit has been used for many purposes include seasoning of local cuisines in many, particularly tropical countries.

It is said that tamarind has a lot of health benefits, and advisable to eat tamarind daily, about 10 gr per day.

Fig 02- Tamarind candy, sold by Walmart

Traditionally, many people believe that Tamarind have few health benefits, one of them is to reduce weight.

Fig 03- The Tamarind tree, sold by FastGrowingTrees.

It is because Tamarind contains:

- flavonoids

- polyphenols

- fiber and no fat

Have you tasted tamarind? Juice or fruit?

# Previous postings:

- Why is Cat Vomiting Frequently? - Gardening

- Chocolate Covered Strawberry from Neighborhood – Food Variety 9 | Tanza Erlambang

- May Covid 19 Reduce Men’s Fertility?

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Have you Tasted Banana Pepper? - Part 2 - Food Variety 25

You may read previous post (part 1):

- Have You ever Tasted Banana Pepper?- Part 1 -Food Variety 26

Fig 01- A Banana pepper photo taken from different angle.

I myself use this pepper as an ingredient in the many foods such as curry or mixed with other vegetables.

The taste of peppers is mild hot (heat), even tend to little bit sweet. Heat of pepper can be measured by Scorville Heat Unit (SHU).

Just for comparison, SHU of Banana pepper and Jalapeno:

- Banana peper, 500 SHU

- Jalapeno, about 5,250 SHU

Fig 02- Flowers start blooming, illustration

In term of nutritional values, the pepper has low calories. Rich in fiber, potassium and vitamins (vitamins A and C).

Fig 03- Sweet banana peppers, sold in Walmart

Peppers also contain more beta carotene than other chili. Hence, banana pepper is good for our health.

Have you ever seen or tried Banana peppers?

# Previous postings:

- When Will Kids Get a Covid 19 Vaccine? - Virus 32 | Tanza

- Late Harvest of Satsuma Orange in the Yard - Food Variety

- Why Canadian Geese Honking Mournfully? - Gardening and Hobby 16 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What are Ingredients in the Biontech-Pfizer Vaccine? – Virus 33 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Mini Sago Palm at the Corner - Gardening and Hobby 17

Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 1 - Food Variety 27

We went to one of our neighborhood farmers markets couple days ago, and saw a peanut like fruit, called Tamarind.

Fig 01- Tamarind drink, sold in the farmer market

Tamarind is a tree with scientific name Tamarindus indica, origin from Africa, and grow well in the following countries:

- India

- Pakistan

- Thailand

- Indonesia

- Malaysia

- Vietnam and other tropical countries.

Fig 02- Walmart, just illustration

The tree could reach 15.24 m (50 feet) height and produces fruit about 160 kg a year. Fruits look like a big raw bean for me at glance. 

Fig 03- Tamarind drink sold in Walmart

The fruit contains several seeds (about 9 seeds). The fibrous pulp surrounds the seeds inside the fruit.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Do Women Heart Beats more than Men? - Heart 9 | Tanza Erlambang

- Do You Know a Prickly Cactus Pear? - Food Variety 5 | Tanza Erlambang

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Have You ever Tasted Banana Pepper? - Part 1 - Food Variety 26

As you might be known that there are hundreds of pepper types sold in the market worldwide.

Fig 01- Banana peppers sold in a Mexican grocery.

Banana pepper with scientific name Capsicum annuum, with quite larger (bigger) size compared to normal chili, as far as I know.

However, from internet searching, size of Banana peppers includes medium in the peppers or chili varieties.

Length is around 6 inches (15 cm) and diameter is about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). In the nature as reported by Pepper Geek (2022: “When To Pick Banana Peppers – How To Know When To Harvest”), this pepper could mature at a smaller length and a diameter.

Fig 02- Grasses in the Fall season

Fig 03- A bottle of Banana pepper’s Pickle, sold in Walmart.

I found this pepper in a Mexican store in my city. The color is yellow, but it is said that when peppers are ripen, the color changes to red, orange or even green.

Some of banana peppers is processed to pickled, and other used as ingredient in many type of foods.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- A Possible Weapon to Kill Coronavirus was Found by a Teenager – Virus 25

- Do You Like to Grill Fish? - Food Variety 4 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Cleaning the Roof as a House Routine Maintaining – Gardening and Hobby 10

- Do Women Heart Beats more than Men? - Heart 9 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fresh Mango in the US Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 25

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- Fresh Mango in the US Market – Part 1 - Food Variety 25 | Tanza

Fig 01- Yellow mango’s meat

Actually, America produces mangoes as well as other tropical countries, but very limited, hence not enough for domestic consumption.

They are grown in the “warmer” temperature states such as:

- California

- Hawaii

- Florida

- and Puerto Rico.

Fig 02- Mangoes are ready to consume

Florida developed many kinds (varieties) of mangoes, some of the well-known “inventors” are Haden, Keitt, Kent, Tommy Atkins, Valencia Pride and Glenn. 

Fig 03- Mangoes and apples are sold in many Walmart groceries

These breeding are parts of more than 500 exist varieties of mangoes in the world. I believe that you know and probably just taste few of these varieties.

One of varieties called as “Tommy Atkins” planted commercially in South American countries include Mexico, Peru and Ecuador.

These countries export back to USA in great amount. We can see easily in many groceries across USA. If you never consumed mangoes, just try its!

# Previous postings:

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Fresh Mangoes in the US Market – Part 1 - Food Variety 25

A lot of mango types can be found in the USA market from spring to early fall. They are mainly imported from Mexico.

Fig 01- Mango from Mexico

It is surprising fact for me that those mangoes are not Mexican indigenous fruit, but introduced by British from a tropical country, Philippine around 200 or 300 years ago.

Then, the mangoes have grown very well in Mexico and other parts of South America regions.

Sure, there are many countries have exported mangoes to lucrative USA markets.

Fig 02- Honey mangoes in the net

It is estimated, revenue from fresh mangoes in USA market is about US$ 493 millions in 2020.

Fig 03- A half cut of sweet mango

Comparing to previous years, import of mango is increasing year by year in term of US$ values.

In addition to Mexico, other Latin countries which export mango to USA market are Ecuador, Peru, Haiti, Brazil and Guatemala.

USA also imports mango from some Asian countries such as Thailand, Pakistan and India.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Why We Should not Feed Monkeys with Banana? | Tanza Erlambang

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