Ordering process and shipping

We save paper.

As such, the details of your order are sent to your E-mail address. The relevant details for each individual product can be found on the product page.

Where do you ship?

Yes, we send to all countries in Europe. Please check out our dedicated shipping page with all shipping costs and estimated shipping times. We also ship to the U.S.A. and Canada.

What are the shipping costs?

Please check out our dedicated shipping page with all shipping costs and estimated shipping times.

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes! We offer free shipping tot over 16 countries in Europe for orders over €75. Check out these countries here.

Why do the shipping costs differ so much per country?

This fully depends on the contract the Dutch post has with local transporters in the respective countries. There is nothing we can change about that. Please note that there is no mark up for the shipping costs.

I only need one small product, why are the shipping costs this high?

Unfortunately, as of 1-1-2020, EU laws state that anything that is not a paper letter must be sent as a parcel, when shipped internationally. So whether it weighs 5 grams or 2 kg: it’s all considered a parcel. That makes the shipping costs for a single item that may only weigh a few grams relatively high. We don’t like it either, but there’s nothing we can do about it.

How about the shelf life of starter cultures during transportation?

Generally, shelf life is not noticeably affected by shipping at ambient temperatures of a couple of days or a week or so. Most of our starter cultures have a long shelf-life of around 1.5 years if kept refridgerated or frozen. However, this does not mean that the bacteria or molds will die off immediately when temporarily out of the fridge or freezer. They have been dried or freeze dried and as such are very stable. This shelf-life already takes into account ambient shipping. To illustrate: most of our suppliers provide these starters at ambient temperatures to us as well.

Generally, shelf life is not noticeably affected by shipping at ambient temperatures of a couple of days or a week. Even if transportation is longer, the effect on shelf life will be minimal and not noticable for the average user. Still, after you receive the culture, check the instructions and store it accordingly for maximum shelf-life.

Furthermore, the date printed on the package is a ‘best before date’, not a ‘dead after this date’-date. The starter will be in prime condition (if kept in the adviced conditions) before this date and only after, will it slowly become less powerful. It probably works just fine, maybe you’ll need just a bit more.

How about the shelf-life of casings during transportation?

All our casings are either heavily salted or dried. The effect of shipping at ambient temperatures on the shelf-life is minimal. Please however, after you receive them and do not plan to use them immediately, save them according to the instructions in the label.

Can I also pick up my order at your business address?

No sorry, startercultures.eu is exclusively a web store.

How does the ordering process work?

You place an order on startercultures.eu and you will immediately receive a confirmation of your order. Once your payment is received, you will receive a shipping confirmation. Our warehouse team will pick your order and send it. Once the parcel is processed you will receive a a track and trace code with which you can track your order.

I am dissatisfied with something

Let us know and we will work it out!

I am bored

We have terms and conditions and a privacy policy and will keep you busy for hours.

About fermentation

How do I make yogurt, kombucha, sausage, tempeh, miso etc.

On most product pages we describe in detail how to use the product.