California cuisine had its genesis in our own backyard more than 20 years ago. It was the birth of locally grown organic arugula and sun-ripened heirloom tomatoes, hand-crafted artisanal cheeses and free-range eggs from family farms around the San Francisco Bay Area. People were eating well – not only with health and the planet in mind, but with good taste in every bite. Foods were rich in flavor, everything was fresh, and quality was king. We are fortunate to have grown up and lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, and have had the pleasure of eating fresh, delicious food.

Hodo Soy Beanery was founded as a concept by a bunch of foodies who, besides their daily toil at corporate offices, had nothing better to do but cook and eat gourmet meals on the weekends. While putting together a soy themed meal, we discovered it was difficult to find fresh and organic soy products locally, especially in the variety we craved – savory and sweet, full of texture and flavor. The harder we looked, the more we came to the realization that such products are difficult to come by, even in the culinary mecca of the San Francisco Bay Area. It was from these delicious meals and our quest for fresh flavorful soy products that we decided to find a way to share the wonder of soy with our friends.

From our passionate belief that the market desires high quality organic and delicious soy products like we do, we developed and sold a unique line of fresh and innovative soy products at the Palo Alto farmers' market. With overwhelming encouragement from our first customers, we have grown to selling our products at six markets in four Bay Area cities today.

As Chinese-Americans, with some German, Thai, and Vietnamese thrown in for good measure, we’re delighted to be creating and selling a line of fresh and ready-to-eat soy products derived from a plant that originated in China more than 3000 years ago. As the only plant source of protein considered “complete,” soy products can serve as a meat alternative and as a dairy substitute for those who are lactose intolerant. Clinical studies show that regular consumption of soy products reduces cholesterol, provides an antioxidant effect to ward off cancer, and offers an excellent source of calcium to sustain good bone density. Soy provides a wonderful palette for an array of delicate and rich flavors. It can be silky smooth or dense and virtually moisture free. It’s one of our favorite foods.

©2007 Hodo Soy Beanery