How to Grow Red Yeast

So-called "red yeast" is actually a red mold, Monascus purpureus. The mold produces cholesterol-lowering statins and has been used in East Asia to ferment "red yeast rice" since at least the first century AD.

Things You'll Need

• Tapioca powder
• Monascus purpureus spores (found in Chinese medicine shops)
• Five 100-mL Petri dishes
• Thermometer
• Incubator

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Instructions

• 1

  Heat 500 mL of water, and add it to 25 g tapioca powder to form a gel.

• 2

  Distribute the gel into five 100-mL Petri dishes.

• 3

  When the gel has cooled to about 95 F (35 C), sprinkle the Monascus spores on top of the gel in each dish.

• 4

  Keep the dishes warm, between 86 and 95 F (30 to 35 C), in an incubator for several days.

• 5

  The red mold will appear on the surface of the gel.