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Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars.4.8/5 · 134 reviews

Traditional Flavor Yogurt Starter Culture

Pleasantly tangy yogurt from a packet you can freeze. No starter to maintain.

$14.99

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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.

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Enjoy free standard shipping on eligible U.S. orders over $49.99. See shipping details.

60-Day No-Hassle Returns

Not what you expected? We offer 60-day, no-hassle returns. See our returns policy.

“After following your directions my yogurt was a complete success the very first batch! It set up beautifully and was very mild and sweet. We like it for dessert topping for fresh fruits. Thanks for another wonderful product and for such speedy delivery!”Sunny · Traditional yogurt customer

Thousands of First Batches. Yours Is Next.

Real kitchens. Real homemade yogurt. A look inside our Cultures for Health yogurt community. Join in with a reusable culture, a simple routine and expert help whenever you need it.

Bowl of thick yogurt on a blue plate with a wooden spoon
Homemade yogurt in a glass topped with fresh raspberries and blueberries on a wooden table
Thick homemade Greek yogurt straining in fine cheesecloth over a bowl
Two containers of freshly made, thick Greek yogurt on the kitchen counter
Milk being poured from a saucepan while making yogurt
Glass hermetic jar filled with thick strained Greek yogurt
Jar of yogurt layered with banana and chia seeds
Spoonful of smooth, velvety homemade Greek yogurt in a jar
Jar of freshly set Greek yogurt next to a home yogurt maker
Homemade yogurt culturing in a glass bowl setup on the counter

EVERY CULTURE WE MAKE IS FOOD-SAFETY TESTED.

Because it's going on
your family's table.

Cultures for Health lab-tested quality comparison with Brand One and Brand Two

A MOM'S REASON. OUR STANDARD SINCE 2002.

It started with a simple question:
What am I feeding my children?

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 →
An adult guiding a child as they pour milk from a saucepan into a glass jar in a home kitchen

From packet to proud-of-it.

Three steps.
Pleasantly tangy yogurt, the easy way.

No starter to keep alive. Use one packet when you want yogurt and freeze the rest for later. Each packet makes up to 4 batches when you re-culture with 2 tablespoons of your last jar.

01

Heat to 180°F, Cool to 115°F.

Slowly heat 1 to 2 quarts of pasteurized whole milk to 180°F, stirring occasionally so the bottom doesn't scald. Let it cool to 115°F.

02

Add Starter & Hold 105–112°F.

Pour the cooled milk into a glass or plastic container and stir in one packet until fully dissolved. Cover and culture at 105–112°F for about 8 hours.

03

Tilt Test, Cool & Chill.

Tilt the jar: if it pulls away in one mass, it's done. Cool 2 hours at room temperature, then refrigerate at least 6 hours. Save 2 tablespoons for the next batch.

60DAY RETURNS

A little reassurance goes a long way.

60-day guarantee.
Support for as long as you culture.

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 →

Traditional Yogurt Starter Culture$14.99

Customer Reviews
4.8 Based on 134 Reviews
5 ★
87% 
117
4 ★
9% 
12
3 ★
1% 
1
2 ★
1% 
2
1 ★
1% 
2
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Filter Reviews:
    A Cultures For Health Customer
    L
    09/03/2024
    Linda SVG verified by SHOP
    United States United States

    I love making my own yogurt. I also love having yogurt culture in my freezer ready to use. That’s awesome.

    L
    06/22/2024
    Lauren SVG verified by SHOP
    United States United States

    I made it manually in yogumet yogurt maker I heated the half and half and then cooked it down to 110 degrees put in 2 packages of culture ( small amt to dissolve and then added it. 8 hrs is only the legal time to call it yogurt it takes 23 hrs at 110 to take all the sugar out of milk. It was in plastic container and larger container was a water bath . Your instructions said 1-2 quarts of milk then next it said add one yogurt starter. Beginner would not have had specific instructions. My yogurt was as thick or thicker than ice cream puts Greek yogurt to shame - use high fat much better outcome

    A Cultures For Health Customer
    L
    06/20/2024
    Linda SVG verified by SHOP
    United States United States

    Delivery was a bit quicker this time around! I really like the Traditional starter. So easy to use! I’m making yogurt regularly now.

    A Cultures For Health Customer
    L
    05/23/2024
    Linda SVG verified by SHOP
    United States United States

    So far so good. I’ve made some yogurt and it came out great! Delivery was a little slower than I hoped. I appreciate the booklets with so much detail!

    TS
    05/11/2022
    Teresa S.
    Sacramento, California, United States

    Loved it

    I gave it to my best friend and she loved it

    Cultures For Health

    Hi Theresa, thanks for the review! I'm happy to hear you love the product!

    Before you start.

    Good questions.
    Plain-English answers.

    What is direct-set, and do I have to maintain it?

    Direct-set means each packet makes yogurt on its own. There is no starter to feed or keep alive between batches: use a packet when you want yogurt and keep the extras in the freezer. It is a good fit for beginners.

    How many batches does one box make?

    The box contains 4 packets. Each packet makes your first batch, and you can then re-culture with 2 tablespoons of your last batch for up to 4 batches per packet.

    What are the exact steps?

    Heat 1 to 2 quarts of pasteurized whole milk to 180°F, cool to 115°F, stir in one packet, then culture at 105–112°F for about 8 hours. Cool 2 hours at room temperature, refrigerate at least 6 hours, and save 2 tablespoons for the next batch.

    What milk should I use?

    Pasteurized whole milk, not ultra-pasteurized or UHT. Don't use raw milk for your first activation batch; the naturally occurring bacteria can interfere with culturing.

    Do I need a yogurt maker?

    You need something that steadily holds 105–112°F: a yogurt maker, an Instant Pot on the Yogurt setting, or an oven with the light on. A thermometer matters more than any other tool.

    How do I know when it's done?

    Use the tilt test: tilt the jar gently. If the yogurt pulls away from the side in one mass instead of running up the side, it's finished. If not, give it another hour or two.

    What are the ingredients and allergens?

    Lactose and live active cultures, including Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Manufactured in a facility that also produces products containing soy. Non-GMO. This is a dairy yogurt culture, not a vegan starter.

    How does shipping work?

    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.