Cream Cheese Starter Culture

Q: Is cream cheese made with milk or cream?

Traditional cream cheese is made from 50% cream and 50% whole milk. Use all cream for the richest tasting cream cheese. If you're looking to make a lower fat cream cheese, we suggest using all whole milk.

Q: How much cream cheese does this culture make?

Each of the 4 packets can culture between 1 qt and 1 gal of milk/cream. Yield will vary depending on the amount of milk fat, how long you strain the curds from the whey, etc., but generally you can expect ~3 cups/1.5 lbs. cream cheese from a gallon.

Q: How long will it take to make a batch of cream cheese?

Before adding the culture, you need to heat the milk/cream to 86°F no faster than 1°F/min, which can take 30–40 mins for a gallon. Once you've stirred in the starter, it needs to culture for 12 hours. Then, it will take 6–12 hours to drain the whey.

Q: Do I need any special equipment?

Nope! Everything you need is probably already lying around your kitchen: a large stainless steel pot with lid, a non-aluminum mixing utensil, a thermometer, a cheesecloth or butter muslin, a colander, and a bowl. Cheese salt optional.

Q: What should I do with the leftover whey?

Don't just throw it out! Whey can be used as cooking liquid for potatoes, rice, grits, pasta and grains; as a starter culture for fermenting vegetables; as a nutrient boost in smoothies or drinks; to make whey cheese; or added to compost.

4.3/5

Product ID: 612075932

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Details

Diet type
Gluten Free
Package information
can
Number of Items
4
Flavour
Cheese
Item weight
1.6 Grams

⏳ready in ~1 day

🧀4 direct-set starter packets

🌡️mesophilic culture, easy temp control

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Description

🧀 Unlock your inner cheesemaker—artisan quality, zero hassle!

GENEROUS YIELD - Each batch makes ~10 servings, ideal for sharing your culinary creation with friends.
CLEAN NATURAL - Skip preservatives and additives—control every ingredient for healthier homemade cheese.
QUICK GOURMET RESULTS - Fresh cream cheese ready in about 24 hours—perfect for fast, delicious DIY.
BEGINNER FRIENDLY CRAFT - Mesophilic culture thrives at moderate temps—no complex heating needed.
EFFORTLESS ARTISAN CHEESE - Direct-set culture with pre-mixed vegetable rennet simplifies your cheesemaking journey.

This Cream Cheese Starter Culture kit includes 4 packets of mesophilic direct-set starter with vegetable rennet pre-mixed, enabling easy, beginner-friendly cream cheese making at home. It requires only moderate temperatures and yields fresh, preservative-free cheese in about one day, producing roughly 10 servings per batch.