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Three reusable cultures. Fresh yogurt on your countertop, no yogurt maker needed.
$24.99
Our on-staff fermenters offer support whenever you need a hand. Get in touch.
If anything goes wrong with your culture, we'll send you a free replacement, though we don't think you'll need one. See our culture guarantee.
Enjoy free standard shipping on eligible U.S. orders over $49.99. See shipping details.
Not what you expected? We offer 60-day, no-hassle returns. See our returns policy.
Real kitchens. Real homemade yogurt. A look inside our Cultures for Health yogurt community. Join in with three reusable cultures, a simple countertop routine and expert help whenever you need it.
EVERY CULTURE WE MAKE IS FOOD-SAFETY TESTED.
A MOM'S REASON. OUR STANDARD SINCE 2002.
Cultures for Health was founded in 2002 by a single mom who wanted to feed her children the best food she could.
That care still shapes what we make. Food-safety testing is a meaningful investment, and one we keep making for the families who bring our cultures home.
Start something good in your kitchen →
From packet to proud-of-it.
Discover mild, creamy Viili, honey-noted Matsoni and tangy Filmjölk. All three culture at 70°–77°F, with no yogurt maker needed. Keep each variety going with a little yogurt from the previous batch.
Start each variety separately. Stir one packet into 1 cup of cold, pasteurized whole milk in a clean glass jar. Cover with a coffee filter or tight-weave cloth secured with a rubber band.
Keep at 70°–77°F. Check after 12 hours for a set that pulls away from the jar when tilted. Your first activation can take up to 48 hours; follow the included guide.
Refrigerate for at least 6 hours. For your next batch, stir 1 tablespoon of finished yogurt into each cup of fresh milk. Keep the varieties separate and enjoy your own ongoing yogurt routine.
ONE VARIETY PACK. THREE TRADITIONAL CULTURES.
From Finnish Viili breakfast bowls to creamy Matsoni frozen yogurt, here are three recipes from our kitchen:
01Strain your homemade yogurt for this lemon, honey and mint frozen treat. Follow the recipe for the thicker texture it needs.
Get the recipe →
02Soaking rolled oats in fresh homemade heirloom yogurt yields an exceptionally tender, hearty breakfast muffin.
Get the recipe →
03Start with strained, Greek-style yogurt, then add peanut butter and cocoa for a rich frozen dessert.
Get the recipe →A little reassurance goes a long way.
Get started with 60-day, no-hassle returns. And whenever you have a yogurt question, our on-staff fermenters are here to help. Next week, next month, or next year.
See our guarantee →Heirloom Yogurt Starter Culture$24.99
United StatesThe heirloom yogurt cultures are very good and performs as advertised.
United StatesWorked great -so far tried two of four strains
Thank you so much, James! We are so glad to hear that you are having a great experience with our Heirloom Yogurt Starter Culture!
United StatesThe heirloom yogurt starters were good. Slower to act than I expected but did activate and the subsequent yogurt has been a nice surprise. The one issue is that, although the pamphlet listed the different varieties of starter, the individual starter packages were not labeled. So, I don’t know which starters I would need to reorder should the need arise.
Hello Michael! We are so glad to hear that you are enjoying our Heirloom Yogurt Starter Culture! Thank you for the feedback regarding the labeling of the packets themselves - we are working to change this in the future!
United StatesThis is a wonderful product. You can almost not fail in making the most wonderfully yummy yogurt you've ever tasted. I make it with whole milk with a little cream on top when done fully done you get this rich creamy yogurt. It's also so easy to make more, just use a little yogurt out of your jar to start a new jar, you'll always have fresh.
Sounds delicious, Nicholas! We are so glad you are enjoying out Heirloom Yogurt Cultures!
United StatesSo easy to use and so delicious!
Hi Melissa! Thank you so much - we are so glad you love our Heirloom Yogurt Starter!
Before you start.
Three starter cultures: Viili, Matsoni and Filmjölk, with instructions. Start and maintain each variety in its own jar. Viili is mild and creamy, Matsoni has honey-like notes and a custard-like texture, and Filmjölk is tangy and traditionally drinkable.
No. These cultures work at 70°–77°F on your countertop. Choose a spot that stays in that range, away from direct sunlight and other active cultures.
For the first batch, mix one packet into 1 cup of cold, pasteurized whole milk. Once activated, use 1 tablespoon of finished yogurt per cup of fresh milk, up to half a gallon per batch. Keep each variety separate.
Use pasteurized whole milk and avoid ultra-pasteurized or UHT milk. These are dairy cultures, not vegan starters. Follow the included guide for your first activation and later batches.
Check after 12 hours at 70°–77°F. Activation can take up to 48 hours. Once set, or at the end of 48 hours, refrigerate in a covered container for at least 6 hours, as directed in the guide.
Texture varies by culture, and the first batch rehydrates the dried starter. Follow the activation guide; later batches may develop differently as the culture becomes established. Our fermenter support team can help with your particular batch.
Organic milk and dehydrated live cultures. Contains milk. Manufactured in a facility that also processes products containing soy and dairy. The product is labeled gluten-free and non-GMO.
Keep the starter refrigerated and use it by the date on the bag. Keep the packets you are not using sealed until you are ready to start that variety.
Free standard shipping is available on qualifying orders of $49.99 or more to the contiguous U.S. Other shipping rates are calculated at checkout. Discounts may affect eligibility; non-contiguous destinations have separate rates.
