Red rice

Red yeast rice is produced by fermenting ordinary rice with the mould Monascus purpureus, which gives the rice its characteristic red colour. In Chinese cuisine, fermented red yeast rice has been used for centuries as a food colour and flavouring. During the fermentation process the mould produces various bioactive compounds, including monacolins. In dietary supplements, red yeast rice is usually offered as a standardised extract in capsule form.