I’ve used Body Ecology Culture Starter many times when making fermented vegetables, kefir, yogurt and cultured butter. I’ve always been happy with the result. After using Body Ecology starters for several years, I can safely say they are simple to use and produce good quality fermented foods.
I here review two variations of the Body Ecology Culture Starter. First the Veggie Starter and then the Kefir Starter. In quite a few recipes on this blog I’ve refer to Body Ecology starters.
Body Ecology Vegetable Starter
The Body Ecology Veggie Culture Starter has worked equally well for recipes containing cabbage, carrots, beets, ginger, bell peppers, celery, cilantro and many other vegetables. The Veggie Culture Starter has a nice, balanced combination of probiotic bacteria producing delicious vegetables in about seven days.
Body Ecology Cultured Vegetable Starter contains the following bacteria:
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Pediococcus acidolactici
- Leu. cremoris
- Inulin
What about cost?
Body Ecology Veggie Starter contains six packets for $22.95 (September 2015). I use one packet for up to 10 pounds of vegetables and it works well. However, fermentation is faster when using two packets. In any case, the average cost per pound ready product is still very low.
Body Ecology Kefir Starter
Kefir is very similar to yogurt, it just contains different bacteria. Drinking kefir regularly can have a tremendous effect on the gut. Kefir promotes the digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Kefir is also rich in amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. Body Ecology Kefir Culture Starter produces a great tasting fermented drink.
Adding probiotics is a must when on antibiotics
Drinking homemade kefir is one of the best ways to compensate for the onslaught of antibiotics in your gut. Adding probiotics daily will minimize the bad effects and promote recovery.
Body Ecology allows you to create up to seven batches from one package. This works well provided you do it correctly. You can use about six tablespoons from the old batch to ferment a new batch.
Body Ecology Kefir Starter works very well. It contains the following seven beneficial bacteria:
- Lactococcus lactis
- Lactococcus cremoris
- Lactococcus diacetylactis
- Leuconostoc cremoris
- Lactobacillus plantarium
- Lactobacillus casei
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Inulin
What about cost?
A box with six packets costs $26.95.00 (September 2015). A great advantage with Body Ecology Kefir Starter is that you can use part of an old batch to create several new batches. This lowers the cost considerably.
You can use the Kefir Starter with green coconut juice, cow’s milk (traditional), soy, coconut, rice, goat, or sheep milk. Be aware that some of these might produce a more watery kefir. So if you love a thicker drink, then stick to cow’s milk. I’ve tried this starter with raw milk (unpasteurized) and it produces a superb kefir.
Body Ecology culture starter benefits
Using a high-quality starter culture like Body Ecology makes a big difference when fermenting vegetables, kefir, yogurt and butter.
Here are a few advantages I’ve noticed:
- A stable and predictable fermentation process, even if you lack perfect conditions at home
- Time of fermentation remains the same each time
- Reduced risks of mold, unwanted yeast, and other bad microorganisms
- Constant high-quality products
- Higher levels of vitamin K2
- Higher levels of lactic acid, diacetyl, acetate, and ketones; very health promoting substances
- Higher levels of the very potent exopolysaccharides (EPSs)
- Higher levels of natural hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
- Preserve the product much longer since the pH tends to be lower
- Contribute to a crunchier texture
- Help preserve a beautiful color
The creator of Body Ecology, Donna Gates, has a long experience with fermented foods. She has spent some 25 years developing fermentation starters and other supplements and has become an authority on fermented foods.
The Body Ecology Culture Starter reflects a high standard and holds what it promises. Many satisfied customers also add to the trust.