Frederic Melton
Babybel cheese is famous for its red wax coating, which is not unique to the brand, with other hard and semi-hard cheeses also using bright-coloured wax. The wax coating is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying while it ages. Babybel cheese uses two layers of wax on their cheeses. The inner surface is probably PVA (essentially wood glue), with the cheese painted with it first and then waxed. The wax on Babybel cheese is \food safe\, meeting strict regulatory standards and posing no health risk if accidentally ingested, according to the company.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of wax layers | 2 |
| Inner surface | PVA (wood glue) |
| Wax composition | Paraffin, microcrystalline wax, and colouring |
| Wax colour | Red (green for vegan cheese) |
| Wax function | Protects cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying |
| Edibility | Not meant to be eaten, but safe to ingest |
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What You'll Learn
Babybel cheese uses two layers of wax
The wax is not meant to be eaten and can affect the taste of the cheese if consumed. However, it is not harmful if accidentally ingested. The wax can be peeled off using the two tabs provided, revealing the cheese inside.
Some people choose to reuse the wax from Babybel cheese for various purposes. It can be melted down and used for crafting, such as creating wax seals or shaping it into playdough-like creations. It can also be used for more practical purposes, such as resealing jars or bottles to keep their contents fresh. The wax can even be used as a fire starter or to refuel tealight candles.
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The wax is food-safe but not meant to be eaten
Babybel cheese is well-known for its red wax coating, which is not unique to the brand. This wax coating is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying while it ages. The wax is made from paraffin, a petroleum-based solid, as well as microcrystalline waxes and colouring. While the wax is "'food-safe'" and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested, it is not meant to be eaten. Babybel has stated that while eating the wax won't hurt you, it won't taste good either.
The wax coating on Babybel cheese serves a functional purpose by preserving the cheese and keeping it fresh. It also provides an "unparalleled unwrapping experience" and contributes to the iconic packaging that Babybel is known for, beyond just the cheese itself.
The wax on Babybel cheese consists of two layers. The inner surface is likely PVA (similar to wood glue), which is painted on first, followed by the outer wax layer. The melting point of the outer wax is lower than the temperature required to destroy contaminants. Therefore, it is not recommended to reuse the wax for coating homemade cheese, as it could introduce contaminants.
While the wax is not meant to be eaten, it can be reused for other purposes. It can be melted down and used for creating wax seals, candles, or even as a substitute for dry kindling when starting a fire.
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Wax is used to preserve the cheese
Babybel cheese uses two layers of wax on their cheeses. The inner surface is probably PVA (essentially wood glue). They paint the cheese with it first and then wax it. The outer wax is red and has a lower melting point than the temperature required to destroy contaminants. The wax on cheese is designed to provide a safe coating. It helps to prevent the growth of any unwanted mould while retaining the cheese's moisture and preventing it from drying out.
Wax is particularly useful for fruits like apples because it helps them retain moisture, enhances firmness and slows down the natural degradation process. It also acts as a chemical preservative, making it both functional and appealing to the eye. Wax is also used on fruit snacks, Skittles, M&Ms, and vegetables.
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The wax is made from paraffin, microcrystalline wax, and colouring
Babybel cheese is famous for its wax coating, which is used to protect the cheese inside. The wax is made from paraffin, microcrystalline wax, and colouring. Paraffin is a petroleum-based product, and its inclusion in the wax coating helps to prevent the cheese from drying out, as well as protecting it from airborne bacteria and mould growth.
The wax on Babybel cheese is "food safe", meaning it poses no health risk if accidentally ingested. However, Babybel does not recommend eating the wax, and it is widely agreed that doing so would not taste good. The wax is soft and pliable, which prevents it from cracking easily, and it is painted onto the cheese in two layers. The inner layer is likely to be PVA, or wood glue, with the outer layer being the red wax that is so recognisable.
The wax is not unique to Babybel, and many other hard and semi-hard cheeses are coated in a similar way, including Gouda and Cheddar. Wax is also used as a coating for other food products, such as fruit snacks, Skittles, M&Ms, fruits, and vegetables, to keep them looking and tasting fresh.
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The wax can be reused for various purposes
Babybel cheese is known for its red wax coating, which is not unique to the brand, but is used to protect the cheese inside from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying while it ages. The wax is food-safe and poses no health risk if ingested, although it is not meant to be eaten and will not taste good.
- Creating your own candles or wax seals
- Using it to seal jars or bottles to keep produce fresh
- Using it as a substitute for dry kindling to start fires in wood burners or while camping
- Moulding it into shapes for fun or decoration
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Frequently asked questions
Babybel cheese uses two layers of wax on their cheeses. The inner layer is likely PVA (essentially wood glue), which coats the cheese first. Then, the cheese is covered in a layer of paraffin wax, which is softer and more pliable than pure paraffin wax, preventing it from cracking.
The wax on Babybel cheese is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying while it ages. The wax is also \"food-safe\", meeting strict regulatory standards and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested.
While Babybel states that eating the wax is not harmful, it is not meant to be eaten and will not taste good. The wax is meant to be peeled off using the two tabs before consuming the cheese.
