Tempeh, keto diet and weight loss go-to that’s high in vitamins, minerals, protein and prebiotics, is a versatile meat substitute
- Singaporean vegan Angeline Leong was looking for a wholesome meat substitute when she found tempeh, traditionally made in Indonesia by fermenting soybeans
- Its nutty flavour and dense texture mean it can be cooked various ways. Leong started a business making it, and variations using chickpeas and adzuki beans
Angeline Leong had been a vegan for several years when she started making her own tempeh, a fermented soy product popular in Indonesia. She was in need of a wholesome and tasty substitute for meat and did not like mock meats or other meat substitutes available in the supermarkets in Singapore, where she lives.
With help from her mother, Leong began experimenting with making tempeh at home; the fermentation process binds the soy into a cake. After their early successful attempts, they started making small batches for family members. Months later, in April 2019, Leong decided to take tempeh making more seriously, flying to Bogor in Indonesia to learn the craft from a tempeh master in a factory. It wasn’t easy.
“The conditions have to be perfect for the tempeh to culture,” she shares. “Every little detail affects the process. Even today, I’m still learning a lot about tempeh making.”
She now produces tempeh full-time. Her company, Angie’s Tempeh, makes small batches from scratch to order; customers order online. Leong and her business partner usually make two batches a week, with each taking about four days to perfect. Her customers are mostly into plant-based foods – vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians, and those who want to cook healthier foods for their families.
Soybean tempeh can be cooked in a variety of ways, and holds appeal even for those on the trendy, high-fat, moderate-protein, ultra-low-carbohydrate keto diet. A typical 100g (3.5 ounce) serving of tempeh contains 193 calories, 19g of protein, 11g of fat, and 9g of carbohydrates. High in soy protein, it promotes feelings of fullness, reducing hunger and aiding in weight loss.
