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Soya Chunks Veg or Non veg: Have you ever wondered what soya chunks are made of and how their texture resembles meat? From soybean processing to extrusion, this is how these popular vegetarian chunks are made. Soya chunks are a common item in Indian kitchens, often used in curries, fries, biryani and many other dishes. Also called meal makers or soya nuggets, they are popular for their chewy, meat-like texture. But what are they actually made of, and how do they get this texture?

How to make soya chunks

Contrary to what some people think, soya chunks are not made by simply cutting soybeans into pieces. Regular soy chunks are plant-based and made primarily from defatted soy flour, which is obtained after extracting the oil from soybeans. The beans are cleaned using machines to remove dust, stones and other dirt. They are then processed to remove their outer layers before the most important stage, extracting the oil.

Soybeans naturally contain oil, which is separated through methods such as mechanical pressing or other industrial processes. After oil extraction, the remaining soy material becomes the main ingredient in its preparation. The defatted soya material is then ground into fine flour. This flour is mixed with the right amount of water to get the required moisture and consistency. Then this mixture is put into a special machine called extruder.

Inside the extruder, the soy mixture is kept at high temperature and pressure. This process, called extrusion, changes the structure of the soy protein and gives the product its characteristic fibrous texture. The processed material coming out of the extruder is shaped into recognizable shapes such as chunks and nuggets using specially designed dies. These pieces are then dried to remove excess moisture.

Why are soya chunks cheap?

That is why dried soya chunks appear light and somewhat porous. When soaked in warm water at home, they absorb water, increase in size and become soft and chewy, giving them a meat-like texture. Another interesting question is why soya chunks can be quite cheap, while the soybeans themselves may seem expensive. The answer lies in how soybeans are processed. When oil is extracted from soybeans, soybean oil is obtained as a product, while the protein-rich defatted material can be used to make products such as meal makers.