Rice is a staple ingredient in many modern kitchens. There are lots of different kinds of rice and each one has its own distinct properties and flavors. But what do you know about red yeast rice? Is this new to you?

The chances are it may be, but it is worth taking an interest in it. The appearance of this rice is rather different to other types of rice. Instead of having the typical look of a long grain of rice it appears more like a pellet. It also gets its name from its eye catching red color, so as soon as you see it you will know what it is. Asian cooking is particularly amenable to red yeast rice and as far as the cooking method is concerned there isn’t much difference to normal rice.

However with that said it contains yeast. This means it is fermented and thus is used with other ingredients rather than simply being eaten on its own. Using it in this way enhances its many tasty properties. Chinese people have been known to grind the rice into a powder to use it more as a coloring than anything else. If you eat a Chinese dish with a nice red tinge to it, red yeast rice may be the responsible ingredient.

But this kind of rice has other properties as well and it can be good for helping us to lower our cholesterol levels. Studies are still going on into this ability, but previous ones completed do show that it can act in this way.

If you look at the ingredients in various supplements that are available you will find that red yeast rice is included in the mix. Many people agree it is better to take a supplement than to try and cook with the rice. However it isn’t always easy to do this if you live in the US. This is because there is a limit on the amount of the extract from the rice that can be included in such supplements. Any more than this amount is currently illegal.

Thus you should only consume supplements that have a tiny amount of red yeast rice contained in them. If you want to take more advantage of the good properties of red yeast rice you should think of ways to use it in your cooking. Perhaps an Asian or Chinese cookbook could help in this respect.

As time goes by and more studies are completed, it is hoped that red yeast rice will be more prevalent in supplements. It is certainly the easiest way to take this item without having to teach yourself a lot of new recipes for using the actual ingredient. A supplement can be taken first thing in the morning and you will know you have got your dose of red yeast rice right at the start of the day.

What better way could there be to help your health with a single supplement?