Fresh, Local, Artisan Crafted
We use only the finest Illinois grown non-GMO soybeans with no additives or preservatives to create our flavorful tofu in small batches. Our tofu products are naturally cholesterol and gluten free, and contain no trans fats.
ABOUT US
Phoenix Bean has been a premier supplier of tofu to the Chicagoland area for more than 30 years. Our factory in the Edgewater neighborhood was one of the first local sources of fresh tofu, and began supplying local Chinese restaurants and Asian grocers. Each batch of tofu was handcrafted daily to ensure the freshness and authenticity demanded by an immigrant community longing for tastes of their homelands.
In 2006, Phoenix Bean was purchased by Jenny Yang when the previous owners were considering retirement. An ardent fan and consumer of Phoenix Bean products, Jenny saw opportunities to apply her business expertise to a local operation close to home, and her heritage to a tofu-making tradition that has been part of Chinese culture for hundreds of years. Jenny and her children are all lactose intolerant, so the opportunity to promote the nutritional benefits of soy as part of a balanced diet was personal as well.
OUR PRESENT
Phoenix Bean products are still produced each day at the same local Edgewater factory, handcrafted in small batches by a team of expert tofu makers. After grinding and boiling the soybeans, they deftly curdle the soymilk to craft the delicious tofu. This artisanal process creates each tofu variety with its own unique delicate taste and texture. The product line now includes more than 13 different types of soymilk, soft and firm tofu, and sprout products. We also sell a ready-to-eat spicy tofu stir fry and several tasty dipping sauces to make mealtime preparation easier.
In our quest to produce better products for today’s consumer, we are making improvements that retain the authenticity and taste of our products, while improving our sustainable practices. After working extensively with a local farmer on soybean selection, we now exclusively use non-GMO soybeans naturally farmed in Illinois without chemicals and pesticides. Our new soybean cooking system uses filtered water and minimal processing. Combined with handcrafting and hygienic packaging, our fresh products retain high nutrition with no preservatives or pasteurization. We have also improved our operation to minimize our impact to the environment. Our factory now uses tankless water heaters to reduce our energy use. We are also looking to reuse our nutritious soybean pulp either as feed or fertilizer, or in tasty okara recipes, to help reduce our waste stream.
Phoenix Bean LLC, 5438 North Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640 USA | Phone: (773) 784-2503 | Fax: (773) 784-3177 | www.PhoenixBean.com