I’ve used Body Ecology Culture Starter many times for preparing fermented vegetables, kefir, and cultured butter. The starters are simple to use and produce tasty fermented food. This review includes two Body Ecology Starters: The Veggie Starter and the Kefir Starter.
Donna Gates, the creator of Body Ecology, has spent some 30+ years developing fermentation starters and other supplements and has become an authority on fermented foods.
Why use Body ecology starters?
Body Ecology Vegetable Starter
Body Ecology Culture Starter works great for recipes containing cabbage, carrots, beets, ginger, bell peppers, celery, cilantro, and others. This veggie starter has a good combination of probiotic bacteria producing crunchy vegetables in about seven days.[1]Health benefits of fermented foods – PubMed (nih.gov)
The starter contains:
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Pediococcus acidolactici
- Leu. cremoris
- Inulin
What about cost?
Body Ecology Culture Starter contains six packets for around $25. You can use one packet for batches of up to 10 pounds of vegetables. However, if you’re preparing that much I think it works better when using two packets. Fermentation moves faster and there are less problems. In any case, the average cost per pound of fermented veggies is still low.
Body Ecology Kefir Starter
Kefir is similar to yogurt but contains different bacteria. Kefir promotes digestion and is rich in nutrients. Body Ecology Kefir Culture Starter produces a great tasting Kefir that can be very soothing when on antibiotics.[2]Kefir and Its Biological Activities – PubMed (nih.gov)
One packet is used for up to eight quarts of kefir. This kefir starter allows you to create several batches using only one starter packet, provided you do it correctly. Try using about six tablespoons of the previous batch to start fermenting your next batch of Kefir.
The kefir starter contains:
- Lactococcus lactis
- Lactococcus cremoris
- Lactococcus diacetylactis
- Leuconostoc cremoris
- Lactobacillus plantarium
- Lactobacillus casei
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Inulin
What about cost?
A box with six packets costs around $28. 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 also use the kefir starter with green coconut juice, cow’s milk, soy, 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 full-fat milk.
The Body Ecology Culture Starters reflects a high standard and holds what it promises. Many satisfied customers also add to the trust.