# Live Culture Basics
> Live bacteria in a shelf tablet sounds odd. This guide explains freeze-drying, stability and what a label can honestly tell you about viability.

## Guides
- [How Freeze-Drying Keeps Bacteria Dormant](https://live-cultures-freeze-dried.pages.dev/how-freeze-drying-preserves-bacteria/): Freeze drying removes most of the water from bacteria at low temperature so they can wait in a dry, dormant state instead of growing.
- [Do Shelf-Stable Probiotics Still Need Cool Storage?](https://live-cultures-freeze-dried.pages.dev/shelf-stable-probiotics-storage/): Shelf-stable only means a product is designed to survive without refrigeration for a period, not that it is indifferent to heat or moisture.
- [What a Probiotic Expiration Date Is Really Telling You](https://live-cultures-freeze-dried.pages.dev/probiotic-expiration-date/): A probiotic expiration date is the point up to which the maker expects the product to still match its label if stored as directed.
- [Heat, Humidity and the Medicine Cabinet Problem](https://live-cultures-freeze-dried.pages.dev/heat-and-humidity-probiotic-bottle/): A heat and humidity probiotic bottle problem is real because warmth and moisture can wake dormant bacteria and wear them down before you use them.
- [Dormant Bacteria in a Chewable: A Plain Explanation](https://live-cultures-freeze-dried.pages.dev/dormant-bacteria-in-chewable/): Dormant bacteria in a chewable are living cells that have been dried so they stay inactive until they meet moisture, usually saliva.

## About
- [About Live Culture Basics](https://live-cultures-freeze-dried.pages.dev/about/): not medical advice, how the site is funded and how guides are made

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