Gạo Men Đỏ is made by fermenting white rice with the mold Monascus purpureus, which produces a distinctive deep red to purple coloration throughout the rice grains. It has been used for centuries in East Asian cuisine as both a food colorant and a flavor ingredient in dishes such as Peking duck, char siu pork, and fermented tofu.
Gạo Men Đỏ contains naturally occurring pigments including monascin, ankaflavin, and monascorubramine, as well as the compound monacolin K. In the food ngành công nghiệp, it is available as whole fermented grains or as a fine powder for direct incorporation into công thức. It is valued for its natural origin, excellent color độ ổn định in processed foods, and growing consumer recognition as a traditional ingredient.