What Is Tempeh? Everything You Need to Know
If you've spotted tempeh in the shops and had absolutely no idea what to do with it, you're not alone. It can seem a bit mysterious at first, so here's everything you need to know.
What is tempeh?
Tempeh is a whole-food protein made by fermenting whole soya beans. The fermentation binds the beans together into a firm, dense block with a nutty, earthy flavour. It originated in Indonesia and has been eaten there for centuries, long before protein became a thing people tracked on apps!
What is tempeh made of?
Better Nature Original tempeh is made from organic whole soya beans. That's it. The beans are cooked, inoculated with a natural culture and left to ferment for around 24 to 48 hours until the mycelium binds them into a block. No artificial ingredients, no ultra-processing. Just real, fermented whole food.
The flavoured range — Original, Smoky, Mediterranean, Peri Peri.
What does tempeh taste like?
Firm texture, nutty flavour, with a slight earthiness that some people compare to mushrooms. It's mild enough to absorb marinades brilliantly, but substantial enough to hold its own in a stir-fry, a bolognese or a wrap without disintegrating into nothing.
What does tempeh taste like compared to tofu? More flavour, noticeably. Tofu is softer and much blander — it needs a lot more help before it tastes of anything. Tempeh has genuine character even before you season it.
If you've never cooked it before, Smoky is the easiest entry point. It's pre-seasoned, goes golden in a pan in minutes and tastes like something you'd actually want to eat.
What are the health benefits of tempeh?
The health benefits of tempeh come from two things working together: the soya beans themselves and the fermentation process.
One pack of Better Nature tempeh contains 44g of protein, similar to a chicken breast. That makes it one of the most protein-dense plant foods you can buy, and the most direct like-for-like swap for chicken in the chilled aisle.
Beyond protein, the key tempeh benefits are:
Fermented for gut health — the fermentation process produces prebiotics that feed beneficial gut bacteria. That's unique to fermented foods like tempeh; tofu doesn't have it.
High in fibre — supports digestion alongside those prebiotic benefits.
Complete protein — all nine essential amino acids in one block.
100% natural, not ultra-processed — unlike most plant-based meat alternatives on the shelf.
Good source of iron, calcium and B vitamins.
is tempeh healthy?
Yes, and in a way most plant proteins aren't. You get high protein, gut health benefits and whole-food credentials in a single product. Is tempeh good for gut health specifically? Yes — the fermentation is what makes it genuinely prebiotic, not a marketing claim tacked on after the fact.
Tempeh vs chicken: protein comparison
A 200g pack of Better Nature Tempeh contains 44g of protein, similar to a chicken breast. Both are natural and unprocessed. The difference is that tempeh comes with gut-friendly prebiotics from the fermentation process, something chicken can't offer. Better Nature is also B Corp certified. Pack for pack, it's the closest any plant protein gets to chicken — which is exactly why we say: give chicken the night off.
Where to buy tempeh
Better Nature tempeh is available in Tesco, Asda and Ocado across the UK. Find the full range — Original, Smoky, Mediterranean, Peri Peri and Curry — in the chilled plant-based or protein aisle.
Better Nature is B Corp certified and a Great Taste Award 2025 winner.