Grinning tofu

Grinning tofu is an ancient traditional handicraft. On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, there is a folk custom of grinding millstones to make tofu. The whole process of making tofu is commonly known as grinding tofu, and the trendy people call it "grinding tofu". In fact, it is not only grinding, but also goes through several processes before it becomes tofu. The traditional production process is as follows: First, grinding The first step is to shell the dried soybeans in batches and pour them into a rice cooker to crush them. The second step is to soak the shelled soybeans in clean water for four to five hours.

Meaning

Folk proverb says: "On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, grind the mill to make tofu." Regarding "tofu", there is actually another interesting name called "Tofu". Because "fu" and "福" are homophones, tofu also has the meaning of praying for blessings. Therefore, "grinding tofu" has also become a process of praying for blessings.

Legend

Legend has it that after the Kitchen King ascends to heaven, he will report the situation on earth to the Jade Emperor. Therefore, the Jade Emperor would visit the lower world on the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month to examine the good and evil in the world and determine the blessings and misfortunes of the coming year. Therefore, people were careful about their words and deeds on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, grinding tofu and eating bean dregs to express their hardship, hoping to seek blessings from the Jade Emperor. Nowadays, some areas still maintain the custom of grinding tofu and eating tofu residue.