What are soybean curds commonly known as?

Soybean curds are commonly known as tofu. Tofu is made by coagulating soy milk and pressing the resulting curds into solid white blocks, resulting in a product that is rich in protein and commonly used in Asian cuisines. It has a mild taste, which allows it to absorb flavors from other ingredients in a dish, making it versatile for various culinary applications.

Tofu's production process involves the same basic steps as the preparation of dairy cheese, which further solidifies its classification as soy curds. This process contrasts with tempeh, which is made from fermented whole soybeans, and seitan, which is derived from gluten in wheat, both of which are different types of plant-based proteins. Feta, on the other hand, is a brined cheese traditionally made from sheep's milk or goat's milk, thus not related to soybeans. Understanding these differences helps clarify why tofu is the correct answer in this context.