Starters

Make yoghurt at home that puts the supermarket to shame. Choose from thermophilic starters for Greek and Bulgarian yoghurt (40-45°C), mesophilic starters for mild yoghurt at room temperature, or vegan starters for plant-based yoghurt from soy, oat, or coconut milk. All cultures are guaranteed to work and can be recultured.

Buy yogurt starters

Make your own fresh, delicious yogurt at home with our professional yogurt starters! Whether you go for traditional cow’s milk or plant-based alternatives, we stock more than 20 different starter cultures. From Greek yogurt to Bulgarian varieties, and from mesophilic to thermophilic cultures – everything you need for the perfect homemade yogurt. Buy your yogurt starters today!

What is yogurt?

Yogurt is produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. The bacteria used to make yogurt are known as yogurt cultures. Fermentation of the sugars in the milk by these bacteria produces lactic acid, which acts on milk protein to give yogurt its texture and characteristic tangy taste.

Cow’s milk is the most widely used worldwide, but milk from goats, sheep, or plant-based alternatives such as coconut and soy milk works just as well. Every type of milk and every starter gives substantially different results – from creamy and mild to sharp and thick.

Making a yogurt starter: do it yourself or buy one?

Do you need a starter culture to make yogurt? Technically, no – you can also make new yogurt from existing yogurt. But that only works a few times before the cultures weaken. On top of that, your options are limited to the type of yogurt you use as a base.

If you want to make different types of yogurt, or get consistent results, it’s far smarter to buy a yogurt starter. Professional starter cultures stay active for years if you store them properly, and they give you access to specific flavors and textures you won’t find in the shop.

Mesophilic versus thermophilic: what’s the difference?

With yogurt starters you have two main categories: mesophilic and thermophilic cultures. The difference lies in the temperature at which they work best.

What is mesophilic? Mesophilic cultures work at lower temperatures (room temperature up to 32°C) and need no special equipment. Perfect for beginners.

What is thermophilic? Thermophilic cultures need warmth (around 42–45°C) and require equipment to keep the temperature stable. The result is usually thicker and creamier.

Tools for making yogurt

Which equipment you need depends on the starter you choose:

For mesophilic yogurt: Nothing special, really! A thermometer to check the starting temperature and a warm spot in the house. Some people put their pot on the radiator or in a slightly warmed oven.

For thermophilic yogurt: Here you do need equipment to keep the temperature stable for hours:

• A yogurt maker (most practical)
• Steam oven with a low-temperature setting
• Sous-vide device
• Oven with only the light on
• Thermomix
• Bread machine with a yogurt program

Preparing the milk: raw versus pasteurized milk

A frequently asked question: can you make yogurt from raw milk? The answer is technically yes, but in practice you’ll typically get a thin, underwhelming yogurt. You first have to denature the proteins by heating the milk to about 90 degrees for 10 minutes, then cool it back down to the right fermentation temperature.

Want to skip this step? Then use sterilized milk, long-life milk, or UHT milk. These have already been heated and give good results straight away.

Vegan yogurt: real cultures for plant-based milk

Yes, you can make plant-based yogurt too! Our vegan yogurt starters are genuine yogurt cultures, specially developed for plant-based milks such as coconut, soy, almond, or oat milk. They work just like regular yogurt cultures, but are optimized for the different protein structures in plant-based milk.

All-in-one: our yogurt-making kit

Just getting started with yogurt making? Our all-in-one ‘make your own yogurt’ starter kit contains everything you need: a yogurt maker, detailed instructions, and two different starters to experiment with. So you can get going right away without worrying about what else you need to buy.

Learn from the experts: our yogurt courses

Want to get really good at making yogurt? Check out our yoghurt making course. You’ll learn not only the technique, but also how to solve problems, achieve different textures, and even how to develop your own unique flavors.

Why choose professional yogurt starters?

With more than 20 different types in stock, we have the right starter for every flavor and application. From mild and creamy to sharp and thick, from traditional to experimental. Plus: our starters are freeze-dried, so they keep for years and are always ready to use.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced fermentation enthusiast – we have everything you need for the perfect homemade yogurt!