Kamil Perry
Babybel cheese is a popular snack cheese brand, produced by the French company Le Groupe Bel (or Bel Group). The Original flavour Babybel is an Edam-style cheese, made from pasteurised cow's milk, with a smooth, pale yellow interior and a signature red wax coating. The cheese is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, where it was initially produced. The wax coating is designed for quick peeling and serves a dual purpose: it adds an appealing aesthetic and acts as a protective layer to preserve freshness.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Ingredients: pasteurised cow's milk, rennet, lactic ferments, salt, enzymes
- Wax coating: red wax for preservation, freshness and aesthetic appeal
- Manufacturing: made using traditional Edam-making processes
- History: created by Jules Bel in the mid-19th century in France
- Varieties: original, light, sharp original, gouda, white cheddar, mozzarella
Ingredients: pasteurised cow's milk, rennet, lactic ferments, salt, enzymes
Babybel cheese is made from a few simple ingredients: pasteurised cow's milk, rennet, lactic ferments, salt, and enzymes. The process begins with pasteurised cow's milk, which is then combined with rennet, a natural coagulant that helps to thicken the milk and initiate the cheese-making process.
Lactic ferments are then added to introduce beneficial bacteria and enhance the flavour of the cheese. Salt is added to draw out moisture, concentrate the flavours, and aid in the preservation of the cheese. Enzymes, such as microbial enzymes, are also added to further contribute to the development of flavour and texture.
The mixture is then heated and stirred, causing it to separate into solid curds and liquid whey. The curds are then moulded into the distinctive small, round shape of Babybel cheese. Each cheese wheel is then coated in wax, which serves a dual purpose: it adds an appealing visual aesthetic, and it acts as a protective layer that helps keep the cheese fresh for longer.
The wax coating, made from a blend of red-coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax, is easy to peel, making Babybel cheese a convenient and portable snack. The result is a semi-soft cheese with a creamy, smooth, and mildly tangy flavour that has made Babybel a popular and well-loved snack worldwide.
Knob Cheese: What's in This Unusual Cheese?
You may want to see also
Wax coating: red wax for preservation, freshness and aesthetic appeal
Babybel cheese is famous for its signature red wax coating, which serves multiple purposes. Firstly, the wax coating is essential for preservation and freshness. The wax acts as a protective layer, helping to maintain the quality and freshness of the cheese by preventing oxidation and moisture loss. This extends the shelf life of the cheese, making it an ideal snack for on-the-go consumption and a staple in lunchboxes.
Secondly, the red wax coating is aesthetically appealing. The vibrant red colour, created by mixing red colouring with paraffin and microcrystalline wax, makes Babybel cheese instantly recognisable on supermarket shelves. The wax is also designed for quick peeling, making it convenient for consumers to access and enjoy the cheese inside.
The wax coating has played a significant role in the success and popularity of Babybel cheese. It not only helps to keep the cheese fresh and tasty but also adds to its visual appeal and convenience. The unique wax coating has become a trademark of the brand, setting it apart from other cheese products.
While the red wax coating is the most iconic, Babybel has introduced variations in wax colour to indicate different flavours. For example, the Green Babybel wax denotes a dairy-free, plant-based variety, catering to vegan diets and lactose intolerance. The use of coloured wax coatings allows consumers to easily identify and select their preferred flavour or variety of Babybel cheese.
Cheese Nips: Where Are They Made?
You may want to see also
Manufacturing: made using traditional Edam-making processes
Babybel cheese is made using traditional Edam-making processes. The original variety is made from pasteurised cow's milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt. The cheese is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, where it was initially produced.
The manufacturing process for Babybel involves the following steps:
- The cow's milk is pasteurised, which involves heating the milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time to kill any harmful bacteria.
- Rennet, a natural enzyme, is added to the milk to curdle it and start the cheese-making process.
- Lactic ferments are added to develop the flavour and texture of the cheese.
- Salt is added for flavour and to help preserve the cheese.
- The cheese curds are then formed into small, round shapes and dipped in wax to create the signature Babybel shape and coating.
- The wax coating is made from a blend of coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax, which is red in colour.
- Each cheese is then wrapped in a cellophane wrapper made from wood pulp, cotton, or other vegetation.
- Finally, the Babybel cheeses are packaged into netted bags, ready for distribution.
Babybel cheese is known for its unique and convenient packaging. The wax coating not only adds an appealing visual aesthetic but also serves a functional purpose by acting as a protective layer that helps keep the cheese fresh for longer. This makes Babybel an ideal snack for on-the-go consumption or as a lunchbox staple.
The Best Places to Buy Mad Faux Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
History: created by Jules Bel in the mid-19th century in France
Babybel cheese was created by Jules Bel in the mid-19th century in the alpine Jura region in the east of France. The brand's origin dates back to 1865 when Jules Bel started Le Groupe Bel (French for 'The Bel Group'), a company specialising in processed cheese products.
The original Babybel, a 380-gram wheel, was first produced in France in 1952. It was modelled after Dutch Edam cheese, which was initially produced in the town of Edam in North Holland. The cheese gets its name from this town, where it was first made. Edam is typically aged for a few weeks to a few months, resulting in a firm texture that is perfect for slicing or grating.
In 1977, the first Mini Babybel was produced, which has since become identified with the company and brand name. The Mini Babybel is a small, round-shaped cheese that is individually wrapped in a signature red wax coating. This wax coating is not just aesthetically appealing but also functional, acting as a protective layer that helps keep the cheese fresh for longer. The wax is made by mixing red colouring with paraffin and microcrystalline wax.
Babybel is now available in several varieties, including Gouda-style, White Cheddar, Mozzarella, Sharp Original, and the Light variety, which has 50% less fat than the original. The company has also introduced a plant-based Babybel, showcasing its commitment to sustainable practices and healthier eating options.
Nacho Cheese: A Tasty, Cheesy Dip Decoded
You may want to see also
Varieties: original, light, sharp original, gouda, white cheddar, mozzarella
Babybel cheese is made from pasteurised milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt. The milk is heated and pasteurised in large vats, then starter cultures are added to lower the pH of the milk and give it its tangy flavour. Next, vegetarian rennet is added to coagulate the milk. The curds are cut, stirred, and drained into tiny wheels, then pressed. They are briefly aged to reach the correct pH, then soaked in a salt brine, which firms up each wheel, adds flavour, and helps preserve the cheese. The wheels are dried on racks for three hours, then dipped in two layers of wax. The first layer is clear, and the second layer is coloured red, black, orange, green, or blue, depending on the type of Babybel being produced.
The original flavour is creamy, smooth, and tangy, with a semi-soft texture. Babybel has since expanded its variety of cheeses, including Light, Sharp Original, Gouda, White Cheddar, and Mozzarella. While there are subtle flavour differences, all feature the original flavour's semi-soft texture and characteristic tang, although the Gouda version is nuttier and sweeter. The white cheddar flavour comes in a black cellophane wrapper and has a sharp flavour. The Gouda flavour comes in orange packaging. The original flavour is also available unwaxed in the form of Babybel Mini Rolls, a curled, string cheese-style product sealed in a plastic pull-top container.
The History of Edam Cheese: Where It's Made
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Little Bell cheese, or Babybel, is made from pasteurised cow's milk with no artificial additives.
Babybel has a mild, nutty and creamy flavour.
Babybel is famous for its distinctive wax coating, which is made from a blend of red-coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax.
Babybel is a French brand, currently operating under Bel Group. Half of the global production of Mini Babybel is made in Évron, a commune in the northwest of France.
