Giveaway: Cultures for Health

April 2, 2009 · 88 comments - -

In the past few weeks, I’ve enjoyed a little treat: fresh, homemade matsoni courtesy of a new company Cultures for Health. Matsoni is a nice tart yogurt hailing from Georgia and was thought to convey long life. Matsoni is also a room-temperature yogurt that cultures well with minimal effort.

For those of you that are interested in eating different strains of yogurt, drinking cultured beverages like kombucha or kefir or baking artisan-style sourdough breads, finding a starter culture can prove difficult. It took me several months to find my first batch of water kefir, and several more months before I found a kombucha scoby. I’ve got a waiting list of friends and readers for kombucha mothers water kefir grains that’s several months deep. No joke, this stuff is hard to find. Fortunately, though, once you a acquire a starter and maintain its health, it will continue reproducing for you indefinitely.

So here it is: This week Cultures for Health is offering a special giveaway for NourishedKitchen.com’s readers. The winner will receive a package of water kefir grains PLUS any yogurt starter of his/her choice and any sourdough starter of his/her choice.

Cultures for Health

Cultures for Health makes that search a little bit easier. They cultures and starters at very affordable rates and even ship internationally. They offer 5 different yogurt starters, 17 different sourdough starters, as well as water kefir grains, kombucha mothers, buttermilk starter, dairy kefir grains and other supplies.

The Prize

Water Kefir Grains
Yogurt Starter of Your Choice
Sourdough Starter of Your Choice

How to Enter

Anyone can enter, including international readers. You have up to 5 chances to enter, so please up your odds and enter multiple times!

First, visit Cultures for Health and sign up for the giveaway there, look around, then come back here and let me know which of one of her yogurt starters you liked best and which one of her sourdough starters that has you salivating.

For more chances to win, you have up to five more chances so take them:

Blog about this giveaway and send me the link.
Post about this giveaway on a message board and send me the link.
Email this giveaway to a friend and let me know.
Stumble this giveaway and let me know.
Tweet this giveaway and let me know.

Why Enter?

Because you took it to heart when I wrote about the benefits of lactic acid fermentation. And for all those of you who’ve been patiently waiting for a culture or starter, and for all those of you who are still on my waitlist, please enter now. Worried about not knowing how to use these cultures and starters? Don’t worry, because each starter comes with comprehensive instructions.

The Announcement

We’ll choose the winner via Random.org, and announce that winner next Thursday. Please note that the goodies will be shipped by Cultures for Health directly–which is good for you since I’m slow to the post office.

Good Luck!

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{ 88 comments }

1 Barbara Baker April 2, 2009 at 7:39 am: Please count me in…this sounds fantastic and is something I’ve been wanting to try for a very long time!!!

-barbarabaker

Check out Barbara Bakerâ€™s last post: Standup Comedy at its finest.
2 Susan Godfrey April 2, 2009 at 7:53 am: Please enter me! Here are my links to where I’ve posted about the giveaway:

My blog – http://homesteadmomma2.blogspot.com/2009/04/like-minded-bloggers-04-02-09.html

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/people/Susan-McNiel-Godfrey/1345235907

Twitter – http://twitter.com/homesteadmomma

Homestead Mommas Message Board – http://homesteadmommas.ning.com/group/homesteadcooking

Emailed to several yahoo groups and friends.

Check out Susan Godfreyâ€™s last post: Like-Minded Bloggers – 04-02-09.
3 Carolyn G April 2, 2009 at 8:41 am: I entered the giveaway and I would love to try the traditional greek yogurt starter
4 Evelyn Masters April 2, 2009 at 8:47 am: Hello! I would love to entered in this giveaway because I would really like to try out some of these cultures that I have not had a chance to!
5 B April 2, 2009 at 8:47 am: I have been wanting to make coconut water kefir for the longest time!

Check out Bâ€™s last post: Simple, Flexible Salad Recipe.
6 B April 2, 2009 at 8:50 am: Oops, I did not read the directions clearly, because I got so excited.

I am most interested in the Flemish-style whole wheat starter and the Matsoni yogurt starter…

Check out Bâ€™s last post: Simple, Flexible Salad Recipe.
7 Stacy April 2, 2009 at 8:55 am: Wow, fun! I hadn’t heard of this particular site before, and it looks great.

For Yogurt, Filmjolk really interests me.

And since I’m originally from Alaska, I’d have to go with the Alaskan Sourdough starter!
8 Andrea April 2, 2009 at 9:02 am: I liked the Matsoni yogurt starter as well and would love to try the Ozark Mountain Sourdough starter. I also emailed a friend about the giveaway. Thanks!
9 Sheila April 2, 2009 at 9:03 am: Wow, perfect timing! I was just making a list of everything I wanted to buy from Cultures for Health! That would be so awesome if I won it! I want to try the Matsoni yogurt starter and the New England sourdough starter. Plus I have been wanting to try water kefir FOREVER…I think it might help my fiancee quit drinking so much soda
10 Stacey April 2, 2009 at 9:38 am: I would love to win this giveaway — if I did, I would want the filmjolk culture and the San Francisco sourdough starter. And feel free to throw in a kombucha SCOBY while you’re at it.

Check out Staceyâ€™s last post: Giftyness.
11 Jen O. April 2, 2009 at 9:55 am: Great and interesting giveaway! I’m into the San Fran sourdough starter and the Filmjolk yogurt starter. Crossing my crossables!
12 desiree kelley April 2, 2009 at 10:45 am: I’ve been wanting to try it
13 susan varney April 2, 2009 at 10:47 am: the matsoni yogurt starter and the filmjolk culture i think
14 Stacey April 2, 2009 at 11:03 am: Just emailed a friend about the giveaway who needs kefir grains. She’ll probably be entering the giveaway soon!

Check out Staceyâ€™s last post: Giftyness.
15 Stacey April 2, 2009 at 11:07 am: Just tweeted about the giveaway — my twitter name is staceyjolly.

Check out Staceyâ€™s last post: Giftyness.
16 Kristi.fogle@gmail.com April 2, 2009 at 11:13 am: I want to try the piima yogurt starter and the san francisco sourdough starter. These look great!

Check out Kristi.fogle@gmail.comâ€™s last post: A Severe Mercy.
17 Kristi.fogle@gmail.com April 2, 2009 at 11:14 am: I tweeted about the giveaway – my twitter name is KristiFogle

Check out Kristi.fogle@gmail.comâ€™s last post: A Severe Mercy.
18 Kristi.fogle@gmail.com April 2, 2009 at 11:14 am: and finally, I emailed a friend! Thanks so much!

Check out Kristi.fogle@gmail.comâ€™s last post: A Severe Mercy.
19 Nicole April 2, 2009 at 11:39 am: I am really excited about this giveaway, I have been coveting the Greek yogurt starter as I love thick yogurt and make it weekly in my yogurt maker for my one year old. And I really want to try the Italian style sourdough and use it to make pizza dough! Thanks for this opportunity

Check out Nicoleâ€™s last post: Smoothies!.
20 Nicole April 2, 2009 at 11:41 am: I have blogged about the giveway with a link at http://traditionalfoodchallenge.blogspot.com/
21 Denise April 2, 2009 at 11:42 am: I’d like to try out the Flemish-style whole wheat starter.
22 Nicole April 2, 2009 at 11:44 am: I have blogged about this giveaway with a link at
http://traditionalfoodchallenge.blogspot.com/
Thanks,
Nicole
23 Nicole April 2, 2009 at 11:45 am: I have emailed also emailed a friend about this. Thanks

Check out Nicoleâ€™s last post: Smoothies!.
24 Nicole April 2, 2009 at 11:47 am: I have blogged about this with a link at
http://traditionalfoodchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/04/culture-give-away.html

Check out Nicoleâ€™s last post: Smoothies!.
25 Lauralee Hensley April 2, 2009 at 11:49 am: Oh so many great ones to choose from. For the yogurt, I’d pick the FILMJOLK yogurt starter and for the sourdough (we really love sourdough) the Alaska Sourdough starter. I like that the Alaska sourdough starter has a shorter fermentation time. Hope I win, but good luck to all.
26 Susan R April 2, 2009 at 12:19 pm: Oh! This is so exciting because I can’t afford to purchase anything right now! If I win I would like the Filmjolk culture and the Pacific Northwest sourdough starter.
27 Ashley April 2, 2009 at 1:36 pm: Okay, I really want water kefir. Terribly bad! And my boys would love some yogurt. Filmjolk sounds like a good starter.

As far as sourdough goes, maybe Camaldoli?

I wish I had more time to enter a few more times, maybe I’ll get around to it! To be sent these would ROCK as my husband says no more spending for a little while.

Check out Ashleyâ€™s last post: Ciminalizing small farming…..
28 judy spradley April 2, 2009 at 2:02 pm: This is GREAT! Good cultures are hard to find. My choices are FILMJOLK yogurt starter and AUSTRIAN sourdough. I love homemade yogurt and sd bread!
29 AlyBlu April 2, 2009 at 2:31 pm: Looks good!
30 Kathy Scott April 2, 2009 at 4:11 pm: Ozark mountain sour dough starter would be awesome.
31 Rosy April 2, 2009 at 5:02 pm: I tweeted, I tweeted! http://twitter.com/RosytheOnion
32 Rosy April 2, 2009 at 5:05 pm: Oh I almost forgot the most important part.

The Filmjolk look yummy, and I can’t wait to make a loaf of Danish Rye Sourdough!
33 Cindy Merrill April 2, 2009 at 6:52 pm: I want the tangiest of them all-the Ischia Sourdough starter- go for the gusto!
34 Kathy April 2, 2009 at 7:42 pm: I would love to try the flemish sourdough starter and a coconut kefir starter. Thanks!!
35 Christine April 2, 2009 at 8:23 pm: I’ve had my eye on the viili culture for a long time. I love thick yogurt!

And the Yukon Territory sourdough starter looks tempting as well.

Thanks for the great offer!
36 Sustainable Eats April 2, 2009 at 8:56 pm: What a great giveaway and amazing culture collection. For those of you who don’t win but were interested in kefir grains (water or dairy) and kombucha scobies there is a great free group where people share cultures that I have blogged about here: http://sustainableeats.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/cultured-dairy-products/. It’s definitely not the variety that she has but the price is right in these tight times.

Enjoy your cultures!

xo,
Sustainable Eats

Check out Sustainable Eatsâ€™s last post: Homemade 100% Whole Wheat Bread – Swoon-worthy.
37 Charlsie Swadley April 2, 2009 at 9:32 pm: I think I would like the Matsoni yogurt starter and the Flemish style sourdough starter because it uses whole wheat! This is a great store that I never even knew existed, I am so happy to now know about it!

Check out Charlsie Swadleyâ€™s last post: Josiah’s birth!.
38 ikkinlala April 2, 2009 at 11:19 pm: The Matsoni yogurt starter and Northwest sourdough starter look the best to me.

Nicole
39 Cynthia C April 3, 2009 at 4:11 am: I like the Traditional Greek yogurt starter and the Parisian Sourdough starter. Thanks for the giveaway.
40 Damla April 3, 2009 at 5:58 am: I signed up. I like the traditional greek from yoghurt starters and camaldoli from sourdough starters.
41 janita April 3, 2009 at 6:57 am: I like the sound of the matsoni yoghurt and the northwest sourdough.
All of the bread cultures sound really good, it was hard to pick.
I have emailed 3 friends! thanks for the contest, janita
42 Deborah R April 3, 2009 at 7:33 am: This is the answer to my “wish” – I’ve been wanting to start making my own yogurt but living in a small hill town in WV, I didn’t know where to begin looking for a starter. I’ve signed up on Cultures For Health and am most interested in their Traditional Greek yogurt starter (I also love “yocheese”). I’ve also been mulling over making sourdough bread and would be most interested in the dried Camaldoli starter.
43 Deborah R April 3, 2009 at 7:40 am: Tweet! http://twitter.com/AsTheNight/status/1445613021
44 Sweetcharity April 3, 2009 at 9:35 am: What a great giveaway!!
I am definitely interested in the kefir water grains- curious as to what the beverages would be like…
I have been wanting to try making yogurt for a while now, and would be most interested in the Matsoni culture as I absolutely love thick yogurts!!
As for sourdoughs, I think I’d choose either the Ischia starter, or the San Francisco starter.
45 Sweetcharity April 3, 2009 at 9:49 am: I’ve emailed my aunt about this.
46 Sweetcharity April 3, 2009 at 9:53 am: I’ve also emailed a friend
47 Mary Beth Salo April 3, 2009 at 10:06 am: So many choices….I think I’d choose the Filmjolk yogurt starter.
48 Sweetcharity April 3, 2009 at 10:07 am: And left a link and some information on the “wall” for the River Cafe group on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=2250425515
Thanks!
Charity
49 Veronica April 3, 2009 at 10:22 am: Holy smokes! I didn’t know that you could make yogurt-type goodies at room temperature! The Filmjolk starter sounds yummy!

I am a glutton for a good rye bread… it never occurred to me to put sourdough & rye together… It’s got to be yummy!
50 Jennifer B. April 3, 2009 at 10:51 am: I’d like to try:
Filmjolk yogurt starter
San Francisco Sourdough Starter
51 Rosita April 3, 2009 at 11:08 am: The Filmjolk looks great for the yougurt starter. And after all the time I have spent in France, I would have to go with the Parisian Sourdough. I have also e-mailed this link to a friend.
52 DINAH April 3, 2009 at 12:47 pm: I LOVE the idea that Matsoni promises long life, but then Viili pleases for it’s thickness. It’s a toss up !!

I love rye bread so any of the sourdough ryes would be perfect.
53 Kelli April 3, 2009 at 3:22 pm: Oh wow! How nice of you both to host this giveaway, and those really are very reasonable prices on something that can potentially last forever. I like the thought of the Filmjolk yogurt and the Ozark Mountain Sourdough. I will blog about this giveaway in tomorrow’s post at http://eastkentuckygal.wordpress.com

Check out Kelliâ€™s last post: The Current Debate – Breasts.
54 Kelli April 3, 2009 at 3:24 pm: Oh wow! How nice of you both to host this giveaway, and those really are very reasonable prices on something that can potentially last forever. I like the thought of the Filmjolk yogurt and the Ozark Mountain Sourdough. I will blog about this giveaway in tomorrow’s post at http://eastkentuckygal.wordpress.com
55 Christine V April 3, 2009 at 6:46 pm: interested in the kefir water grains
56 Kara April 3, 2009 at 9:15 pm: Great giveaway, Jenny! Although all of the cultures and starters looked excellent, I have to admit that I am most intrigued with the filmjolk and Parisian sourdough starter.

I have e-mailed this post to a few of my friends too!
57 Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship April 3, 2009 at 9:18 pm: Yum!
Filmjolk yogurt starter
Camaldoli Sourdough Starter

I also emailed a friend and stumbled this site. I wish I was on “yogurt week” at KS (coming in 2 weeks) so I could work in a note about your giveaway and make sense doing it!
Katie

Check out Katie @ Kitchen Stewardshipâ€™s last post: Mary and Martha Moment: Baby Steps.
58 beth shepherd April 4, 2009 at 12:44 pm: Thank you for a great giveaway!
I like the Traditional Greek yogurt starter and the Parisian Sourdough Starter.
Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
59 mskayz April 4, 2009 at 6:16 pm: Would love to try the New England Sourdough starter. I love fresh bread!!
60 Kris T. April 4, 2009 at 8:22 pm: I don’t think I can pick my favorites. There are too many starters to choose from. Thanks for the link. For the yogurt starter, I think I’d start with the filmjolk; I don’t know what it is, but they got my attention with “custard” in the description. For sourdough starter, I’d pick them all. If I have to pick just one, I’ll go with the San Francisco starter. Thanks for the chance to win. I really appreciate the information on your website.
61 Lisa April 4, 2009 at 8:29 pm: Thanks for the information about the place, in addition to the giveaway — this looks like a great resource to know about. It’s an embarrassment of riches, really, but if I had to choose just one of each, the filmjolk and the New England sourdough starter are especially appealing. I’ve also just emailed a couple of friends!
62 Steph April 5, 2009 at 1:18 pm: I’ve always wanted to try the Villi yogurt starter because I love thick yogurt. I’d either pick the Alaskan or Flemish sourdough starter. Short fermentation times and whole wheat flour both appeal to me.

Thanks for the contest!

Check out Stephâ€™s last post: Whatâ€™s in a Name?.
63 Beth M. April 6, 2009 at 9:04 am: Thanks for this opportunity! My homemade sourdough starter hasn’t been happy in a while but we make bread several times a week so it would be great to start fresh with a good starter.

In case I happen to win the giveaway… I choose the Ozark sourdough starter; and the Matsoni yogurt starter since it says that it’s effective against yeast.

Thanks!
Beth
64 Jennifer M April 6, 2009 at 12:01 pm: Matsoni, and San Francisco Sourdough. They can grow next to our kombucha!
65 Christie April 6, 2009 at 5:07 pm: I think I’d like the Traditional Greek variety the best. I recently started making my own yogurt and am amazed at how simple yet delicious it is. Now I want to try different cultures and also some buttermilk and sourdough. Thanks for featuring Cultures for Health.
66 Claudia Hubka April 7, 2009 at 9:07 am: the product looks good. the contest is great
67 Laura G April 7, 2009 at 1:35 pm: I’d love the Matsoni yogurt starter and the Ozark Mountain Sourdough starter.
68 Mir April 7, 2009 at 6:42 pm: I’d pick Viili yogurt starter (I’ve eaten Viili and it’s awesome) and the Swedish Rye Sourdough Starter. YUM! Thank you for introducing me to that site.
69 Chrysa April 7, 2009 at 6:54 pm: I like the traditional Greek yogurt starter and the Alaskan sourdough starter.
70 Kimberly M April 7, 2009 at 7:16 pm: Great contest! I used to have a Kombucha and a sourdough starter, but then I moved across country and had to give them away. I like the Matsoni yogurt and the Pacific Northwest Sourdough starter.
71 Jennifer gersch April 8, 2009 at 2:04 am: traditional greek yogurt starter
72 Martha J April 8, 2009 at 5:48 am: I would like to try the Traditional Greek and the Ischia Sourdough Starter.
73 Nanette Olson April 8, 2009 at 7:46 am: I would like to try the Flemish-style whole wheat.
74 Veronica Garrett April 8, 2009 at 7:52 am: I like the Filmjolk yogurt starter and the San Francisco sourdough starter.
75 hminneosta April 8, 2009 at 11:03 am: I like Matsoni yogurt starter & Flemish-style whole wheat starter.thanks
76 Jennifer hedden April 8, 2009 at 11:48 am: the Flemish-style whole wheat starter
77 Meredith April 8, 2009 at 3:30 pm: I am dying to try Matsoni yogurt, and I love that you don’t have to have a heat source to culture it! Also, the Northwest Sourdough Starter sounds divine!
78 Gabriel J. April 8, 2009 at 4:25 pm: Great prize, great contest!
79 trishden April 8, 2009 at 5:54 pm: I signed up for the Culturs for Health giveaway and I think I would like the Filmjolk Yogurt starter and the Camaldoli Sourdough Starter. Thanks for a great giveaway!
80 trishden April 8, 2009 at 6:21 pm: I tweeted on twitter here:
http://twitter.com/trishden/status/1480556343

Thanks
trishden
81 sarah woods April 8, 2009 at 7:25 pm: Love the nutritious guides and kitchen helpers. Bring it on from H2O to Yougurt for lower GI health, and sourdough; many thanks SW
82 The Clever Mom April 8, 2009 at 7:29 pm: I like the Mitsoni yogurt and the Flemish sourdough. The Danish one looks like a good runner up. Heck, I bet any of them would be amazing!

Check out The Clever Momâ€™s last post: True Mom Confessions.
83 The Clever Mom April 8, 2009 at 7:35 pm: I tweeted about the giveaway: @theclevermom

Check out The Clever Momâ€™s last post: True Mom Confessions.
84 George Casson April 8, 2009 at 8:03 pm: I want to try the Matsoni yogurt starter and the New England sourdough starter. retirenaval(at)yahoo.com
85 Helen April 8, 2009 at 8:45 pm: The Matsoni yogurt kit sounds good as does the San Francisco Sourdough Starter.
86 Gianna April 8, 2009 at 9:03 pm: I just signed up
I love the Viili yogurt starter and the Italian Sourdough Starter
87 Lily Kwan April 9, 2009 at 2:56 am: I love the Viili yogurt starter and the Flemish-style Desem sourdough starter!
88 Jenny April 9, 2009 at 8:10 am: The contest has ended and the winner has been picked via Random.org. Congratulations to Jennifer M who won a package containing water kefir grains, matsoni and san francisco sourdough starter!