Red Yeast Rice Follow-Up
I want to thank Emily who sent me the following comment about red yeast rice.
"Red yeast rice is rice that has been fermented by the red yeast, Monascus purpureus. It has been used by the Chinese for many centuries as a food preservative, food colorant (it is responsible for the red color of Peking duck), spice, and ingredient in rice wine." Based on this information, I clearly had eaten some red yeast rice during my recent trip to China.
My friends and I ate Peking Duck in a restaurant in Beijing (recommended by a Chines chef ) that is famous for it--I even have a certificate that indicates the number of the duck that we ate--the restaurant keeps track of every duck that it has served for the past 50 years or so! That said, I doubt that the amount of red yeast rice used to prepare Peking Duck is not enough to counteract the negative effects of duck fat on cardiovascular health. Nevertheless, my knowledge of its positive effects on the cardiovascular system will help to assuage some of the health concerns that I may have the next time I order Peking Duck in my favorite Chinese restaurant.
Until next time...
Good Luck and Good Eating (try Chinese--it's good for you)!!!!!!!!!!
