Starter Cultures - Direct Set vs Mother Cultures

[steffb503]

So I am at the point in my endeavor where 10 dose packets of all of the various starters is very expensive. Where is the best place to buy Direct set cultures in bulk.

[Sailor Con Queso]

You need to explore Mother Cultures.

[ArnaudForestier]

I'd second Sailor's suggestion.  His method has proved a boon, to me, and on a larger scale, I think you'll realize not only a more consistent ripening, but some real cost savings.

[birdsongmilkmaid]

If you want the ease of direct set cultures, you can buy larger quantities from Glengarry Cheesemaking Supply (http://www.glengarrycheesemaking.on.ca/) and Danlac Canada (http://www.danlac.com/). If you're looking for an American company, there's probably a few of them around, but I'm not the person to ask since I live in Canada.

Naomi

[linuxboy]

Which cultures? It really depends what you need. Also, as already said, look into using mother cultures that are primed from DVI starters for each generation.

[steffb503]

I have used mother cultures in the past and while they are more cost effective I have found the ease of direct set to far out weigh the price.

[Sailor Con Queso]

Steff,

I use Mother Cultures every day. I don't do it for the price. I do it for the "ease" and consistency, which translates to better cheese. It is very difficult to make minor adjustments with dry culture. How do you reduce your starter 1/16 tsp??? I don't know anyone that can measure that accurately. Maybe if you were using a gram scale. OTOH, it's easy to remove 1/8 cup of MC. As a pro, I can't imagine going back to DVI.

[linuxboy]

Just to make sure we're talking about the same thing, Sailor and I mean starting a new generation using DVI for each batch of mother starter. We don't mean using a bulk system where you inoculate using the previous batch.

If you develop a good workflow where you include this approach of using DVI for each mother starter, it does not take very long to do. But I do understand the convenience of DVI

Which starters, Steff?

[steffb503]

Specifically MA4001, MA11-14-16, MA100,Thermo B and Thermo C