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Lactobacillus Gasseri is a strain of Lactobacillus, a bacteria naturally found in the digestive, genital and urinary tracts. Dr. William Davis, author of Super Gut found that large doses of L. gasseri provided impressive health benefits. On the back of his success amplifying L Reueteri probiotic bacteria through fermentation, (a process similar to yogurt making) Davis began experimenting with fermenting L Gasseri with the same method.
The process is different from that of conventional yogurt. L. gasseri must be fermented at a low temperature for 36 hours and requires the addition of prebiotic fibre – food for the bacteria. The process generates very high probiotic bacterial counts, far higher than any store-bought or homemade yogurts. The outcome is technically a fermented dairy and a very delicious way to get more L. gasseri.
Dr Davis website claims that L. Gasseri yogurt “can reduce waist size by about one inch, reduce cross-sectional abdominal fat by around 13 square centimetres when consumed over 90 days even in the absence of any change in diet or exercise. He says it can also reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, reduce blood and urinary levels of oxalate that lead to kidney stones, and can be instrumental in protecting against SIBO or SIBO recurrences due to its vigorous bacteriocin-producing properties.”
Cutting Edge Cultures are excited to include L. Gasseri Superfood Starter culture to their range of probiotic starter cultures. Yogurt made with LG Superfood starter packs about 30 times the punch of supplements. A half-cup of cultured dairy L. Gasseri Superfood contains about 306 billion live bacteria. For comparison, most L. Gasseri supplements that we know of currently on the market, have a count of 10-12 Billion per capsule.
LG Superfood yogurt is thick and creamy. It may have a hint of a light "fizz", as a natural result of the long fermentation. Separation is common with some types of milk. Separation is mostly a cosmetic thing, and not usually a sign of a problem. In terms of bacterial counts, the texture doesn't matter. A separated jar contains the same quantity of beneficial bacteria as a non-separated jar. The L. Gasseri are present in both the solids (curds) and the translucent liquid (whey), and therefore both should be consumed.
It's extremely important to let L Gasseri ferment for 36 hours. The long fermentation increases the bacterial strains exponentially. Lab studies show It only starts to increase the bacterial strains at 24 hours, so don't take it out too early or you'll miss the benefits.
TIP: Start fermenting either early morning or later in the evening. Otherwise, if you start at 3 in the afternoon, for example, you'll be having to get up to your Yogurt Maker at 3 am.
Dr Davis created his method using ultra-pasteurized half and half milk, which is a full-fat milk commonly available in America. It is not available in Australia, in the UK and Europe, it’s known as ‘half cream’. If half and half milk is available in your area, we recommend you use it because from our feedback, this milk produces reliable results. Where half and half milk is not available, we recommend the following options:
One sachet of L. Reuteri starter is will ferment up to 2 litres of milk. There are 4 sachets in each packet. Once you’ve made a jar of LG Superfood yogurt, you can use some of it to re-ferment subsequent batches. Reculture for as long as your batch comes out thick and pleasantly tart. When significant changes begin to occur (not tart enough or conversely, too pungent), although you're doing the same thing – begin with a new sachet.
L Gasseri are living bacteria and need to eat. The food that they like to eat are known as prebiotics. These prebiotics encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria already living in the body and can also aid in the growth and maintenance of probiotics. Cutting Edge Cultures have formulated ‘Prebio Plus’, a custom blend of three different organic prebiotic fibres to maximise the benefits of Lactobacillus Gasseri.
Before you begin it is important to sterilise the Luvele yogurt making glass jar and any utensils you use, in boiling hot water. Do this by boiling a kettle and carefully pouring the hot water in the jar and over the equipment. The danger of not sterilising is that other bacteria may overpower your culture and affect the quality of your ferment.
1-2 litres ultra-pasteurized half and half, or whole milk – see notes
1 sachet of LG Superfood starter (or 2 tablespoons from your previous batch)
2 scoops Prebio Plus probiotic fibre (spoon is provided)
1. If you would like to denature the milk start by heating the milk. If you are using half and half or UHT milk move to step 4.
2. Pour the milk into a large clean saucepan. Place the saucepan on the stove top and heat the milk to 82° C (180° F) Use a thermometer for an accurate reading. To hold the milk at this temperature for 10-20 minutes is an optional step. It can be a challenge to hold the milk at a high temperature for so long. We recommend using a double boiler pot filled with boiling water. Don’t get too caught up on the precise temperature. If the milk accidentally boils briefly, don’t panic – reduce the heat and continue.
3. Remove from the stove and let cool to below 42° C (107° F). You can actively cool it by filling a sink, or bowl with cold water and ice cubes and setting the pot of heated milk in the cold water. It is fine if the milk cools down below 42° or even goes cold, it just mustn't be hot. Temperatures above 43° C will kill the L gasseri strains. As the milk cools, a layer of skin will form on the top. There is no harm leaving it in. It does not produce lumpy yogurt.
4. Open the sachet of LG superfood starter and pour it into the Luvele glass yogurt maker jar or add 2 tablespoons of LG superfood yogurt from your previous batch.
5. Add 2 scoops of Prebio Plus prebiotic powder.
6. Add 1.5 cups of milk (or pre-heated and cooled milk). Whisk well to avoid clumping.
7. Pour in the remaining milk and whisk well for even distribution. Do not blend.
8. Put the lid on the yogurt making jar and place into the yogurt maker. Pour water slowly into the base. The water must not be filled over the ‘tall line’ indicated on the inside wall of the maker. Place the cover lid on top.
9. The milk is now ready to begin fermentation. Use the digital control panel to set the temperature to 36°C and the time to 36-hours and then press ‘confirm’ to begin incubation. If you have an older version Luvele yogurt maker set the timer to 24-hours and then when that is complete, set the maker for a further 12-hours.
10. Condensation will have collected under the cover lid during fermentation. Take care removing it and allow the water to drip into the water bath, instead of your bench. Switch the yogurt maker off and remove the yogurt jar. Straight from the maker the L gasseri yogurt will be warm. Do not stir the yogurt while it is warm or else is will not set in a perfect mass.
11. Depending on the milk you used, your yogurt may have a thin layer of cream on top. Bonus, this is delicious!
12. Place the yogurt in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set, then enjoy.
13. Don’t forget to reserve 2 tablespoons of yogurt or whey for your next batch of superfood!
