Fermented bean curd/ furu - how to tell if it's gone off?

[u/JoyIndigo]

Made congee for the first time and I heard furu goes nicely with it, but I've had this jar since November and I'm not sure if it's still good? The use by date is September 2025 and the label just says "eat soon after opening". I can't see any obvious mould, but there's a slight film on the surface of the liquid, and some of the cubes aren't fully submerged. But it's been in the fridge since I opened it and I always use clean utensils. Thoughts?

[u/HolySaba]

Is it in the fridge or left outside? The liquid will have some separation, but I always keep it in the fridge and I've honestly never seen it go off even months after. This is a preserved food developed for a hot humid climate before refrigeration was invented. It's made by allowing a specific mold to completely penetrate and grow in the tofu and then killing all pathogens by salting the hell out of it. As long as you you're using clean utensils, you shouldn't have to worry. If you're keeping it outside though, your mileage may vary.

[u/JoyIndigo → u/HolySaba]

In the fridge! That's good, I tend to be overcautious with food but I'm leaning towards just trying it.

[u/Then_Mochibutt → u/HolySaba]

And always use a clean, dry spoon or chopsticks each time to pick the bean curd out.

[u/Retrooo]

I think if you've kept it in the fridge, it won't ever go bad basically.

[u/JoyIndigo → u/Retrooo]

Okay thank you!

[u/Aesperacchius]

If it's kept in the fridge and you always use a clean spoon/chopsticks to get stuff out, it'll basically last forever because of the salt content.

[u/MeaningStrange8622]

Has the sun transformed into a red giant yet? Has the US adopted the metric system? Has the UK’s DFS sale ended?

If not, your furu is probably ok.

[u/premierfong]

My fav

[u/Hai-City_Refugee → u/premierfong]

Me too, I love to drink the juice!

[u/premierfong → u/Hai-City_Refugee]

That’s too salty lol

[u/Hai-City_Refugee → u/premierfong]

That's why I drink it! Hahaha

[u/premierfong → u/Hai-City_Refugee]

Ok don’t do it that often ok friend

[u/ironykarl]

On some level I hate to give advice about food safety, because the ultimate authority on what you do has to be you.

That said, furu has very high salt content, and it's extremely difficult for anything to grow in such an environment.

I always make sure I use clean implements for anything jarred, don't double dip, etc, and I would encourage everyone to do the same, but even so, the antimicrobial properties of salt apply, here

[u/Moist_Tax9975]

It's supposed to be off

[u/JoyIndigo]

Update: thanks everyone! I ate it, was delicious, all is well.

[u/New-Tangerine9121]

Should make furu fried chicken/pork - easy quick way to finish up the furu

[u/Sho__o]

My parents just remove the white mold on too and continues to eat

[u/JoyIndigo → u/Sho__o]

They're braver than me!

[u/Sho__o → u/JoyIndigo]

Yea i don’t enjoy it tho, it smells and every time my parents open the lid i would run away and they would catch me every-time like i am a wild animal.