Soy foods such as tofu, tempeh, edamame, and soy milk have been everyday staples in much of Asia for centuries. But here in the U.S., soy often sparks confusion. You may have heard claims such as ‘soy will give you man boobs’ or ‘soy can increase your risk for breast cancer.’ These myths have persisted for years, causing some people to shy away from soy — even though plenty of research shows the opposite: soy foods are not only safe, they’re (really) good for you.

Tempeh may not win a beauty contest, but to a food scientist, it’s a masterpiece. One quirky feature of this fermented protein often raises eyebrows: those gray or black spots. We occasionally hear from concerned fans saying, “I think my tempeh is moldy!” And we happily assure them: it’s supposed to be!