Q. I want to make homemade yogurt.  What is the difference between your yogurt starters and the powdered yogurt starter I can buy at my local health food store?

A. There are two main differences:

1.) Powdered yogurt starter from the health food store requires a yogurt maker or some other method for keeping the culturing yogurt warm (usually 110 degrees) for 4-8 hours. Our yogurt starters (Fil Mjolk, Viili, Matsoni and Piima) culture at room temperature on the counter (does best between 70 and 74 degrees so just put it in the warmest spot in your house) so you don’t need any special equipment or to babysit the yogurt starter while it cultures. Also, with our room temperature yogurt starters, there is no milk to heat and allow to cool before culturing. Our yogurt starters can be added to milk directly from the fridge. Easier homemade yogurt all the way around!

2.) The powdered yogurt starters from the health food store must be purchased repeatedly to make homemade yogurt. A box of yogurt starter generally makes about 6 liters of homemade yogurt. Our room temperature yogurt starters (aka counter-top yogurt starters) are self-perpetuating–a small amount from each batch of homemade yogurt is used to make the next batch of homemade yogurt (just mix the yogurt into the milk, cover the container and let it sit on the counter). With proper care, the yogurt starter can be used to make unlimited amounts of homemade yogurt for a long time. There is no need to repeatedly buy yogurt starter which is a huge cost savings! We also ship extra yogurt starter with each order which should be reserved as a back up in case there is a yogurt making accident or if you need to take a break from making homemade yogurt.