Frederic Melton
Babybel is a brand of cheese produced by a French company called Le Groupe Bel. The original Babybel, a 380-gram wheel, was first produced in France in 1952. The most popular variety is the Mini Babybel, a snack-sized portion of what was originally sold as a larger cheese. The original flavour is made from pasteurised cow's milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt. It is made using traditional Edam-making processes, except that rennet from vegetarian sources is used, making it suitable for lacto-vegetarians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Edam-style |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized milk, microbial rennet, salt, lactic ferments |
| Rennet Source | Vegetarian |
| Texture | Semi-soft |
| Flavor | Mild, creamy, nutty, tangy |
| Dietary Information | Lactose-free, gluten-free, no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors |
| Variants | Light, Sharp Original, Gouda, White Cheddar, Mozzarella, Mini Rolls with Pepper Jack, Organic, Babybel Maxi |
| Packaging | Netted bag, wax coating, cellophane wrapper |
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What You'll Learn
Babybel Original is an Edam-style cheese
Babybel Original is a mild, creamy, and nutty-flavoured cheese, with a semi-soft texture. It is a popular snack, often enjoyed with crackers or pretzels. The cheese is individually packaged and coated in a blend of coloured wax, inside a cellophane wrapper made of wood pulp, cotton, or other vegetation.
Babybel is a brand of cheese produced by the French company Le Groupe Bel (or The Bel Group). The original Babybel was a 380-gram wheel, first produced in France in 1952. In 1977, the company began producing the Mini Babybel, which has become the most popular and well-known version of the cheese. Mini Babybel is now available in various flavours, including Light, Sharp Original, Gouda, White Cheddar, and Mozzarella. The brand has also expanded to include a plant-based, dairy-free alternative made with coconut oil.
Babybel Original can be used in a variety of recipes, such as grated, melted, or chopped and added to pasta, salads, sandwiches, paninis, or pizza. It can also be wrapped in pastry or biscuit dough and baked or fried. Its small size and flat shape make it ideal for stuffing chicken breasts, burger patties, or meatloaf.
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It's made from pasteurised cow's milk
Babybel Original is a popular snack cheese made from pasteurised cow's milk. The cheese is produced by the French company Le Groupe Bel, which was started by Jules Bel in 1865 in the Jura region of France. Today, half of the global production of Mini Babybel takes place in Évron, a commune in the northwest of France.
The Original flavour is creamy, smooth, and tangy, with a semi-soft texture. It is made using traditional Edam-making processes, with rennet from vegetarian sources, rather than animal sources, and is naturally lactose-free. The cheese is also gluten-free, making it suitable for those with specific dietary requirements.
Babybel Original is made from simple and natural ingredients, with pasteurised cow's milk providing the base for the cheese. Other components include microbial rennet, which helps in the cheese-making process, and a small amount of salt for flavouring. The cheese contains no artificial preservatives, colours, or flavours, and is a good source of calcium.
The characteristic red wax coating of Babybel Original is made from a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline wax, inside of a cellophane wrapper made of wood pulp, cotton, or other vegetation. The wax coating helps to keep the cheese fresh and prevents it from drying out.
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It's coated in a wax layer
Babybel is a brand of cheese produced by a French company, Le Groupe Bel, which started in the Jura region of France and was founded by Jules Bel in 1865. The Original flavour is the most popular variety of Babybel cheese, and it is made from pasteurised milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt. It is made using traditional Edam-making processes, except that the rennet is sourced from vegetarian sources, rather than animal sources. It is also naturally lactose-free.
Babybel is known for its distinctive packaging, which consists of a netted bag, in which each piece of cheese is encased in a wax coating, inside a cellophane wrapper made of wood pulp, cotton, or other vegetation. The wax coating is a key part of Babybel's signature packaging and plays an important role in maintaining the quality of the cheese.
The wax layer helps to protect the cheese from drying out and ensures that it stays fresh and moist. It acts as a barrier, preventing air from coming into contact with the cheese and extending its shelf life. This is particularly important for a cheese like Babybel, which is designed as a snack cheese and is often taken on the go. The wax coating allows consumers to enjoy the cheese without the need for immediate refrigeration.
The wax coating also contributes to the overall sensory experience of Babybel cheese. When consumers peel off the wax layer, they are able to enjoy the smooth, creamy texture and tangy flavour of the cheese. The wax helps to create a sensory experience that is unique to Babybel and sets it apart from other snack cheeses.
While the wax coating is a defining characteristic of Babybel, it is important to note that the Original flavour is also available in an unwaxed form. These are known as Babybel Mini Rolls, which are curled, string cheese-style products sealed in a plastic pull-top container.
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It's suitable for lacto-vegetarians
Babybel Original is suitable for lacto-vegetarians as it does not contain any animal rennet. The cheese is made from pasteurised cow's milk, which provides the base for the cheese, and other natural ingredients. The milk is pasteurised, which means it has been heat-treated to kill any harmful bacteria. This process is a legal requirement in the production of dairy products in the US and many other countries.
The other ingredients in Babybel Original include microbial rennet, which is suitable for vegetarians, and a small amount of salt for flavouring. The cheese is also gluten-free, making it suitable for coeliacs and those with gluten intolerance.
Babybel Original is made using traditional Edam-making processes, which is an unprocessed method of cheese-making. The only difference is that the rennet used is sourced from vegetarian sources, rather than animal sources. The cheese is also naturally lactose-free, which is beneficial for those with lactose intolerance.
In addition to the Original flavour, Babybel also offers a range of other flavours suitable for lacto-vegetarians, including Light, Sharp Original, Gouda, White Cheddar, and Mozzarella. These varieties feature the Original flavour's semisoft texture and characteristic tang, with some subtle flavour differences. For example, the Gouda version is nuttier and sweeter, while the Cheddar and Gouda options offer zesty flavours.
For those following a strict vegan or dairy-free diet, Babybel has also launched a plant-based alternative, made without milk. This variety is produced in a separate space dedicated to plant-based products to ensure no exposure to milk or other allergens.
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It's available in various flavours
Babybel is a brand of cheese produced by a French company, Le Groupe Bel, which started in the Jura region of France in 1865. The original Babybel, a 380-gram wheel, was first produced in France in 1952. In 1977, the first Mini Babybel was produced, which has since become identified with the company and brand name.
Babybel is available in various flavours and styles, including the Original flavour, which is an Edam-style cheese, made from pasteurized milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt. The Original flavour is creamy, smooth, tangy, and semi-soft. It is also naturally lactose-free and suitable for vegetarians as it does not contain any animal rennet. The Original flavour is available in wax-coated wheels as well as unwaxed Babybel Mini Rolls, a curled, string cheese-style product sealed in a plastic pull-top container.
In addition to the Original flavour, Babybel offers several other varieties, such as Light, Sharp Original, Gouda, White Cheddar, and Mozzarella. These varieties feature the same semi-soft texture and characteristic tang as the Original flavour, with subtle flavour differences. For example, the Gouda version is described as nuttier and sweeter, while the Cheddar and Gouda options offer zesty flavours and the Mini Rolls with Pepper Jack provide a slightly spicier taste.
Babybel also offers a plant-based, dairy-free alternative made without milk. This variety is produced in a separate space to ensure no exposure to milk or other common allergens. The smooth and creamy texture of this plant-based option is achieved using coconut oil, and each Babybel in this range provides a good source of calcium and Vitamin B12.
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Frequently asked questions
Babybel Original Cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk, microbial rennet, and salt. It is made using traditional Edam-making processes, with rennet from vegetarian sources.
Babybel Original has a semi-soft texture and a mild, creamy, nutty, and tangy flavor.
Babybel Original Cheese is packaged in a netted bag, with each piece of cheese coated in a blend of colored wax or paraffin and microcrystalline wax. The wax coating helps keep the cheese fresh and prevents it from drying out.
Babybel Original Cheese is widely available in supermarkets and convenience stores across North America, Europe, and Australia. You can find it in most national grocery retailers, mass retailers (such as Walmart or Target), and club retailers.
