TOP 9 best yogurt starter cultures: selection criteria

Yogurt starter is a product that contains special lactic acid bacteria. It is they who participate in the fermentation process and convert sugar and lactose into lactic acid, which has a beneficial effect on the condition of the intestines. You can buy this product both in a pharmacy and in a regular store. But in order to choose the best yoghurt starters, you need to study the pros, cons, and characteristics of various manufacturers. The best products according to users are listed in this rating.

The best starter for yoghurt

A good starter culture must contain bacteria that react with milk to turn it into healthy yogurt. The following products are considered the best for homemade yogurt:

Evitalia

Home-made dry starter culture contains freeze-dried strains (dried by freeze-drying of lactic acid bacteria), which retain the ability to reproduce. The finished product contains vitamins A, C, E and B, as well as trace elements calcium, iron and magnesium. Yogurt prepared on the basis of this starter culture is suitable for restoring intestinal microflora, suppresses intestinal infections and effectively fights constipation. It can also be included in the diet to restore immunity, remove harmful cholesterol and cleanse the body of toxins. One bottle of dry starter culture is designed for making yoghurt from 2 liters of milk.

Release form	Bottle, sachet
The weight	10 g
Manufacturer	LLC NPF "Probiotics", Russia

Testimonial: “The leaven is good, but sometimes you come across not a very high-quality product. The result is not yoghurt, but just sour milk. "

Good food

The Italian brand Good Food produces several versions of the starter culture based on lacto- and bifidobacteria. The product is available in small sachets. Each contains dry starter culture intended for fermentation of 1-3 liters of milk. The brand's lineup includes a special starter culture with a bifido complex for babies, as well as a product for making fitness yogurt. With this starter culture, the composition can be prepared in a special yogurt maker, thermos and even in a regular saucepan with a sealed lid. The fermentation time is 8-10 hours. To make yogurt, just add the contents of one sachet to boiled milk cooled to 38-40 degrees, stir and leave in a warm place.

Release form	Sachet
The weight	1 g
Manufacturer	Good Food, Italy

Testimonial: “I'm taking a sourdough for making bifido yogurt. The taste is excellent, the child likes it. I haven’t tried any other options yet ”.

Vivo

The sourdough comes in a convenient box. Each contains 4 sachets of dry matter. The sachet is designed for fermenting 3 liters of milk. The starter culture includes lactic acid streptococci, three types of lactobacilli, Bulgarian and acidophilus bacillus. Developing in warm milk, these bacteria increase the lactic acid content. It is this component that normalizes the intestinal microflora, improves digestion and destroys pathogens.This homemade yogurt reduces the risk of eating disorders, normalizes metabolism and promotes weight loss.

Release form	Sachet
The weight	0.5 g
Manufacturer	Vivo, Russia

Testimonial: “I prepare yogurt only from this sourdough. It is more expensive than other starter cultures, but the yoghurt is very thick and tasty. "

Narine

“Narine” is not just yogurt, but a special fermented milk product that contains high concentration of lactic acid bacteria. Additionally, the composition includes acidophilic lactobacilli, which normalize the intestinal microflora and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Starter culture is provided in small sachets. Each of them is enough to prepare a drink from 3 liters of milk. The package contains 5 sachets of starter culture at once, as well as detailed instructions that will help you prepare the drink correctly.

Release form	Sachet
The weight	1 g
Manufacturer	Narine, Russia

Review: “Narine tastes different from regular yogurt, but it is very healthy. My kids like yogurt more, so I only cook it. "

ProvitaLactis

The product contains a complex of microorganisms that transform whole milk into a healthy fermented milk drink with valuable medicinal and prophylactic properties. The product is provided in a small glass bottle with a sealed lid. Thanks to this, it does not cake, and the dried bacteria remain viable for a year. One bottle is enough to ferment 1-3 liters of milk. Depending on the initial volume of liquid, yoghurt of a certain density is obtained.

Release form	Bottle
The weight	0.3 g
Manufacturer	Provita Lactis, Russia

Review: “This starter culture rarely appears in our store, so I always buy it with a reserve. The quality is excellent, but to avoid making the yoghurt too runny, it is better to use a maximum of 2 liters of milk, not three. "

Your own yoghurt

With this starter, you can make delicious and all-natural yoghurt at home. There are 5 hermetically sealed sachets in a cardboard box. Each bag is designed to ferment 1-3 liters of milk. The product is completely natural, does not contain gluten, GMOs and flavors, so the resulting yoghurt is ideal for a dietary diet and baby food. The starter culture is universal, so it can be used to prepare yoghurt from cow, goat and soy milk. The product does not contain gluten, therefore it is suitable even for allergy sufferers.

Release form	Sachet
The weight	2.5 g
Manufacturer	Svoy Yogurt, Russia

Review: “Good starter, yoghurt turns out to be really tasty. But you need to carefully look at the expiration date: if it's running out, the yogurt may not work. "

Squash

The bacterial starter culture is intended for making delicious and healthy homemade yoghurt. The product does not contain gluten, GMOs and preservatives, suitable for dietary nutrition. Vegetarians can also use the starter culture. One bag is enough to prepare yoghurt from 3 liters of milk. For fermentation, you can use raw materials of any fat content. It is enough just to boil it, cool it slightly, pour it into a clean container and add the powder. The milk is left in a warm place, and after 6-10 hours, delicious natural yoghurt will be ready.

Release form	Sachet
The weight	3 g
Manufacturer	Skvaska, Russia

Testimonial: “I bought a sourdough instead of the one I usually take. The price is a little higher, but the yoghurt turns out to be really very tasty, moderately thick and without a sour taste. "

SlimYogurt Lactoferm ECO

This starter culture contains a complex of beneficial bacteria that have a positive effect on health. Ready-made yogurt normalizes digestion and intestinal microflora, speeds up metabolism and allows you to fight overweight. One sachet is designed for preparation of 1-3 liters of product. At the same time, the concentration of beneficial bacteria in the finished yoghurt will be high in any case. The fermentation time is 8-10 hours. The long cooking time is fully compensated by the natural taste. The sourdough is intended for preparation in a yogurt maker, but you can do without it.

Release form	Plastic bag
The weight	2 g
Manufacturer	Slim Yogurt, Italy

Review: “I always buy only this sourdough. I cook yoghurt in a yoghurt maker, it ferments very slowly in a saucepan. "

Genesis

Just one packet of this starter will help you prepare delicious natural yoghurt. It perfectly satisfies hunger, helps to normalize the intestinal microflora, effectively fights heartburn and strengthens the immune system. The starter culture contains a unique Bulgarian stick, which protects against private colds and has a rejuvenating effect. One sachet is enough to prepare 1-3 liters of yoghurt, and the fermentation process takes no more than 8 hours. You can cook yoghurt in a thermos, pot, slow cooker, or yoghurt maker.

Release form	Plastic bag
The weight	2 g
Manufacturer	Genesis Laboratories, Bulgaria

Testimonial: “I prepare this yogurt for children when they are sick and are taking antibiotics. It copes well with digestive disorders. "

Selection Tips

Each starter in the top is suitable for making delicious and healthy homemade yoghurt. But even here there are 10 different lineups, so picking one perfect one can be tricky. A few tips will help you choose a quality product.

When buying, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Bacterial composition. It is indicated on the sourdough packaging. The more bacteria are included in the substance, the more useful yogurt will be, because each type of microorganism has its own functions.
2. Dosage. As a rule, 1 gram of dry starter culture is designed to ferment 1 liter of milk.But this proportion is not relevant for all products, so you should definitely read the cooking instructions before buying.
3. Shelf life. It is imperative to buy fresh starter culture that will not expire for a long time. Otherwise, there is a risk that the milk will not ferment and the yogurt will not work.

High-quality dry starter culture with a rich bacterial composition will help to prepare delicious yoghurt for children and adults. Such a product will be completely natural, will help normalize the functioning of the digestive organs and strengthen the immune system.