From “Jet Milling” to “Guaranteed Freshness”: The Asian Games Journey of a Block of Tofu

At the Hangzhou Asian Games, what the media and athletes ate became a hot topic. At the Main Media Center’s dining stations, the much-talked-about 20-yuan “feast” emerged as one of the event’s signature services for reporters.

Among these offerings, Zhejiang’s well-known Zuming tofu—as the designated bean-products supplier of the Hangzhou Asian Games—made a clever appearance on the menu, adding its own flavor to this culinary celebration of the Games.

“We’re a homegrown Hangzhou company. With the Asian Games happening on our doorstep, of course we’re going to support it!” Looking back on the original intention, Zuming Co. Chairman Cai Zuming spoke with the matter-of-fact conviction typical of Hangzhou entrepreneurs who “answer the call whenever needed.” From submission to official appointment took three months. After multiple rounds of selection and expert review, Zuming, on the strength of its quality, sustainability, and health-focused brand credentials, was officially named the official bean-products supplier of the Hangzhou Asian Games in February 2022.

To focus on the Asian Games supply tasks, Zuming quickly established a dedicated Asian Games service team responsible for the R&D and production of new Asian Games products.

“We’re a homegrown Hangzhou company. With the Asian Games happening on our doorstep, of course we’re going to support it!” Looking back on the original intention, Zuming Co. Chairman Cai Zuming spoke with the matter-of-fact conviction typical of Hangzhou entrepreneurs who “answer the call whenever needed.” From submission to official appointment took three months. After multiple rounds of selection and expert review, Zuming, on the strength of its quality, sustainability, and health-focused brand credentials, was officially named the official bean-products supplier of the Hangzhou Asian Games in February 2022.

To focus on the Asian Games supply tasks, Zuming quickly established a dedicated Asian Games service team responsible for the R&D and production of new Asian Games products.

Soy foods are rich in high-quality plant protein and abundant dietary fiber, providing solid nutritional support for athletes. “Some dietary fiber is lost when soybeans are ground,” explained Cai Zuming. “We upgraded our grinding technology and introduced a new production line that uses a ‘jet mill’ process to make soymilk, which maximizes the retention of dietary fiber.” The jet-milling equipment generates high-density comminution energy that can ultrafinely grind plant fibers that traditional methods cannot, preserving whole-soy nutrition while reducing waste okara.

“The scope of soy products is actually very broad. Beyond beverages like soymilk, there are also fresh soy foods and soy-based snacks—all made from soybeans,” Cai added. Zuming uses non-GMO soybeans for all products, controlling quality from the source, and implements the industry’s highest standards throughout processing. “We can say with full confidence that the bean products Zuming supplies to the Asian Games meet the strictest benchmarks for quality and food safety.”

Chairman Cai Zuming, Zuming Co.

From production to distribution to retail, Zuming has gone to great lengths to guarantee the “freshness” of every block of tofu. “From raw materials to on-site production environments, we enforce the highest standards,” said Production Manager Li. “Our workshops are under comprehensive, no-blind-spot monitoring. Each employee’s working status, attire, and operations are included. Any issue is flagged and fed back immediately to ensure safety across the entire process.”

On the distribution side, Driver Li, who has worked in the field for 20 years, donned a brand-new uniform for this assignment—the prominent Asian Games logo giving an extra spring to his step. “Based on distance, we plan three delivery routes—long-haul, mid-haul, and short-haul. From 4 p.m. until 1 or 2 a.m., drivers depart in waves. The goal is simple: to make sure the Zhejiang market wakes up to fresh, healthy tofu every morning.”

In fact, this rigorous control has already become Zuming’s “standard operating procedure.” As Cai put it, “There’s no difference between the products we supply to the Asian Games and those we supply to the market. Every day is finals day; we’re always in the arena.”

Product innovation and quality assurance are the bedrock of Zuming’s development, and uncompromising quality remains the top priority in serving the Asian Games. “You can only make soy products well by working with your heart,” Cai said. “Through mindful research and thoughtful judgment, we strive to perfect every block of tofu, help China’s soy-foods industry thrive, and—through the platform of the Asian Games—bring Chinese soy culture to the world.”