Buying tofu wholesale: what to ask a supplier

A checklist for cafés, restaurants, shops and caterers choosing a wholesale tofu supplier in the UK, from texture and shelf life to delivery and allergens.

Whether you run a café, a restaurant, a shop or a meal-prep kitchen, the right tofu supplier makes a big difference to your dishes and your margins. Here's what to ask before you commit.

1. Which textures and sizes do you make?

Silken, soft, firm and extra-firm tofu all behave differently in a kitchen. Ask which ones the supplier makes, how much each block weighs and whether they offer larger catering sizes. Not sure which you need? See our guide to firm vs silken tofu.

2. What's in it?

Good tofu needs only soya beans, water and a coagulant. Ask about:

The coagulant: nigari, calcium sulphate or GDL. It affects taste and texture. See what is nigari?
Organic soya: if you put "organic" on your menu or shelf, check that the supplier is certified.
Allergens: soya is one of the 14 allergens UK businesses must declare. Ask whether there's any other allergen risk in their kitchen.

3. How fresh is it, and how long does it last?

Ask how soon after making it the tofu reaches you, and what shelf life you'll have once it arrives. Fresher tofu means less waste.

4. How consistent is it?

Your customers expect the same dish every time. Ask for a sample and cook it the way you will in service: fry it, bake it or put it in a stir-fry.

5. How is it delivered?

Ask where the supplier delivers, how often, what the lead times are, and how the tofu is kept chilled on the way.

6. Minimum orders and standing orders

Check the minimum order, whether prices drop with volume, and whether you can set up a regular standing order so you never run short.

7. Will it help you sell?

Fresh, handmade or British tofu is a story you can tell on a menu or a shelf. Ask whether the supplier can provide product information or photos.

Looking for a supplier? We make fresh, organic tofu by hand in the UK and supply cafés, restaurants, shops, gyms and caterers. Ask us for wholesale prices.

Buying tofu wholesale: what to ask a supplier

A checklist for cafés, restaurants, shops and caterers choosing a wholesale tofu supplier in the UK, from texture and shelf life to delivery and allergens.

Whether you run a café, a restaurant, a shop or a meal-prep kitchen, the right tofu supplier makes a big difference to your dishes and your margins. Here's what to ask before you commit.

1. Which textures and sizes do you make?

2. What's in it?

Good tofu needs only soya beans, water and a coagulant. Ask about:

The coagulant: nigari, calcium sulphate or GDL. It affects taste and texture. See what is nigari?
Organic soya: if you put "organic" on your menu or shelf, check that the supplier is certified.
Allergens: soya is one of the 14 allergens UK businesses must declare. Ask whether there's any other allergen risk in their kitchen.

3. How fresh is it, and how long does it last?

Ask how soon after making it the tofu reaches you, and what shelf life you'll have once it arrives. Fresher tofu means less waste.

4. How consistent is it?

Your customers expect the same dish every time. Ask for a sample and cook it the way you will in service: fry it, bake it or put it in a stir-fry.

5. How is it delivered?

Ask where the supplier delivers, how often, what the lead times are, and how the tofu is kept chilled on the way.

6. Minimum orders and standing orders

Check the minimum order, whether prices drop with volume, and whether you can set up a regular standing order so you never run short.

7. Will it help you sell?

Fresh, handmade or British tofu is a story you can tell on a menu or a shelf. Ask whether the supplier can provide product information or photos.

Looking for a supplier? We make fresh, organic tofu by hand in the UK and supply cafés, restaurants, shops, gyms and caterers. Ask us for wholesale prices.