Local instead of imported

Saving the rainforest by eating tofu

A cabbage stew with tofu also tastes great.(Bild: Rene Sandhofer/Unser Sojahaus)

Whether it's spaghetti bolognese, a gyros burger or nut noodles: These dishes can also be conjured up with tofu. Organic farmer Martina Schmit now even offers meatless smoked meat.

In Latin America, the rainforest is being cleared without conscience in order to use the huge areas for the cultivation of genetically modified soy monocultures and the global export of animal feed. Organic farmer Martina Schmit from Zagersdorf is upset by the destruction of the green lung. That is why she has been growing organic soy on her fields for years.

Alternative to meat
Because the demand for a healthy meat substitute is increasing, she has now joined forces with Sabrina Leitner and Kevin Wagner. The couple from Penzendorf near Hartberg took over "Unser Sojahaus" from Shu-Chen Chuang from Rudersdorf two years ago and have been producing regional tofu specialties ever since.

Rich in protein
"Tofu has a high protein content and also contains polyunsaturated fatty acids and lots of minerals," says Schmit. She will soon be offering her customers two product variants that cannot be bought in stores: smoked tofu, which tastes like smoked meat, and tofu cubes, marinated in cold-pressed organic sunflower oil.

Enjoyment with meaning
On April 27 (10 am to 4 pm), Schmit's daughter Teresa, a nutritionist and sports scientist, will give a talk on tofu. In addition, Sabrina Leitner and Kevin Wagner will reveal delicious tofu recipes at a show cooking event including a tasting. "We use the money raised from a soybean estimation game to support a rainforest reforestation project," says the organic farmer.