Yeah it was decided initially so that the creator could still benefit from it and recoup r&d costs before a third party could copy their design without the r&d and be able to sell the product cheaper.
But now companies just patent any idea without using them just so other companies can’t.
If a company doesn’t use their patent within a certain time frame it should be completely revoked.
Tofu can be made to have any flavour you want. It’s very absorbent of any marinade you give it.
One is my favourite things to make is what I call Seitofu (seitan covered tofu). The seitan acts like a protein heavy batter so they kind of become like the chicken balls you have sweet and sour Chinese with (don’t know if that’s a thing in the US).
They’re a lovely high protein snack to just munch on their own or great in Chinese style dishes like I mentioned earlier. You can also use a conventional oven but I wouldn’t know the timings. Air fryer is just quicker and easier to check on so I prefer that.