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Product Description
Cultures for Health Heirloom Yogurt Starter Cultures
The Cultures for Health collection of mesophilic heirloom yogurt starters can be cultured right on your counter at room temperature, so it’s easy to make these re-usable varieties.
- Each box contains 2 packets of each culture: Viili, Filmjölk, Piimä, and Matsoni.
- Activate 1 packet using 1-2 cups pasteurized milk (store 2nd packet in the freezer as a back-up).
- Cultures on the countertop at room temperature, 70º-77ºF, no appliance required.
- Suitable for use with pasteurized whole milk and with raw dairy milk or non-dairy milk, with special care.
- Avoid ultra-pasteurized or UHT milk.
- Reusable culture: a small amount of each batch can be used to make the next batch and recultures from batch to batch indefinitely.
- Instructions for using this culture may be found here.
Heirloom Starter Cultures Included in the Box
- Viili Starter Culture: A Finnish yogurt variety, Viili is very mild and creamy, with a fairly thick consistency. It’s a versatile favorite that’s perfect on its own or in any yogurt recipe.
- Filmjölk Starter Culture: Another Finnish variety, Filmjölk has a tangy flavor reminiscent of cheese and a custard-like texture. It’s great with fresh fruit or over pie. Kids love it!
- Matsoni Starter Culture: Matsoni, from The Republic of Georgia, has a thin, custard-like texture with notes of honey. Its flavor is the most “yogurty” and is a popular choice for frozen yogurt.
- Piimä Starter Culture: Piimä, a Scandinavian variety, is very thin and drinkable with a mild flavor. Culture it with cream instead of milk to make a tasty sour cream-like topping.
Ingredients and Allergen Information
- Organic milk, live active cultures.
- This product contains no GMO ingredients.
- Manufactured in a facility that also produces products containing soy and dairy.
- Gluten-free
Shipping Information and Shelf Life
These Heirloom starter cultures are shipped in a barrier-sealed packet as a freeze-dried yogurt culture. The starters keep:
- At room temperature (68° to 77°F): 3 to 4 months
- In the refrigerator (40° to 45°F): 9 months unopened
- In the freezer (0° to 25°F): 12 months unopened
Actual product may differ from image shown above.
I WANT TO MAKE SOME CULTURED FOODS, BUT DON’T KNOW HOW. CAN YOU HELP?
We believe the best place to start is with the correct starter. We offer starters specific to the type of foods you want to culture or ferment.
Each box of starter culture includes easy to follow directions. We also have some instructional videos on the product pages. Just scroll down on the Product Description until you see the video, or past the reviews section to the Product Videos link.
DO YOU HAVE ANY STARTERS THAT ARE DAIRY FREE?
Yes! Caldwell’s starter to ferment vegetables doesn’t contain any dairy. Other dairy free starters are the sourdough breads, water kefir grains, and the kombucha scoby. Please note that these starters may have been produced in a facility that also makes dairy starters.
SOME STARTERS USE THE TERM LACTO-FERMENT. ARE YOU SURE THERE ISN’T ANY DAIRY IN THE STARTER?
The word lacto comes from the name lactobacilli, which biologists have given to a broad family of friendly bacteria. Some of these bacteria are specific to milk, such as in yogurt and cheeses; others are specific to vegetables, and these do not contain dairy. They have one characteristic in common: they transform sugars into a beneficial form of lactic acid. During the fermentation process the friendly lactobacilli bacteria break down the sugars to produce a special form of lactic acid that acts as a natural preservative.
OTHER THAN A PLEASANT SOUR OR TART TASTE, WHY MAKE AND EAT FERMENTED FOODS?
It has been said that up to 85% of the body’s immune system is located in the gut. The entire surface of our digestive system is covered with bacteria. These microbes can be divided into 3 groups: beneficial, transitional and opportunistic flora. Maintaining a healthy colony of beneficial probiotic flora is absolutely essential to good health. Fermented foods help to provide this balance.
Making your own fermented foods is a fun and satisfying way to take charge of your health. You choose the ingredients; veggies from your yard or the farmer’s market, organic flour to make sourdough bread, pastured organic milk and cream for yogurt and milk kefir. Homemade fermented foods are not only good for health; they taste good too.
I’VE HAD MY STARTER IN A CUPBOARD FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. IS IT STILL GOOD?
Most likely it will be fine to use. Below is a general guide on how to store starters.
Kefir grains are dehydrated and can be kept in this state:
- At room temperature: 12 to 18 months
- In the refrigerator: 18+ months
- In the freezer: not recommended
- At room temperature: 3 to 4 months
- In the refrigerator: 6 to 9 months unopened
- In the freezer: 12 months unopened
- At room temperature: 12 months
- In the refrigerator: 12+ months
- In the freezer: 12+ months
- At room temperature: not recommended
- In the refrigerator: 6 months
- In the freezer: 12 months
Information provided in this communication is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. This is general information for educational purposes only. The information provided is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Wise Choice Marketing Inc is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through Wise Choice Marketing Inc
