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GENERAL CHEESE MAKING BOARDS (Specific Cheese Making in Boards above) => INGREDIENTS - Lactic Acid Starter Cultures => Topic started by: shenandoah on April 01, 2013, 05:20:24 PM

Title: Culture shelf life
Post by: shenandoah on April 01, 2013, 05:20:24 PM
How long will cultures keep in the freezer?  I have some that are just under 1.5 years old and want to know if they are still good.

Thanks,

Steven
Title: Re: Culture shelf life
Post by: shenandoah on April 01, 2013, 05:22:05 PM
Also have liquid animal rennet the same age in the fridge.  I understand that it starts losing strength after a year.  How much should I increase at this stage?

Thanks,

Steven
Title: Re: Culture shelf life
Post by: linuxboy on April 01, 2013, 05:23:38 PM
What kind of freezer? Stored where in the freezer? At what temp? And does it have autodefrost?

generally, 1.5 years should still be fine. But it depends on handling and storage from the point of manufacture to the point when you use them.
Title: Re: Culture shelf life
Post by: linuxboy on April 01, 2013, 05:24:24 PM
Quote
I understand that it starts losing strength after a year.  How much should I increase at this stage?
5-8% more. Which means not at all if you're a smaller scale cheesemaker
Title: Re: Culture shelf life
Post by: Boofer on April 03, 2013, 12:39:15 AM
I keep mine vacuum-sealed, take out what I need, and re-vacuum seal. This helps to reduce the accumulation of moisture.

-Boofer-
Title: Re: Culture shelf life
Post by: green zebra on April 03, 2013, 01:26:59 AM
I have been putting my cultures in heavy zip lock bags including paper towel...hope this is enough to blot any moisture.
Title: Re: Culture shelf life
Post by: shenandoah on April 05, 2013, 08:15:05 PM
I should be good.

Thanks guys!