![what kind of cheese is baby el](https://cycheese.com/images/resources/what-kind-of-cheese-is-baby-el_20250210105116.webp)
Babybel is a brand of small, snack-sized cheese products that are individually packaged and available in various flavours. The original flavour is an Edam-style, semi-soft cheese with a delicate, nutty flavour. It is made using traditional Edam-making processes, except that rennet from vegetarian sources is used, making it suitable for lacto-vegetarians. Babybel is widely known for its packaging, consisting of a netted bag in which each piece of cheese is encased in a blend of coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Brand | Babybel |
Type of Cheese | Edam-style |
Flavours | Original, Light, White Cheddar, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Gouda, Plant-Based White Cheddar |
Ingredients | Pasteurised milk, salt, microbial enzymes, lactic ferments, rennet |
Rennet Source | Vegetarian |
Texture | Semi-soft |
Taste | Mild, creamy, nutty |
Lactose | Lactose-free |
Packaging | Red wax coating, netted bag, cellophane wrapper |
What You'll Learn
Babybel is an Edam-style cheese
Babybel is a product of Le Groupe Bel, a company with roots in the Jura region of France, started by Jules Bel in 1865. Today, half of the global production of Mini Babybel is made in Évron, a commune in the northwest of France. The cheese is known for its distinctive packaging, consisting of a netted bag with each piece of cheese encased in a blend of coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax, inside a cellophane wrapper made of wood pulp, cotton, or other vegetation.
The Original flavour is a semi-soft cheese with a delicate, nutty flavour. It is mild, creamy, and delicious, making it the perfect snack for cheese and crackers or pretzels. It is also a good source of protein and calcium. Babybel Original is made with 100% real cheese and contains no artificial growth hormones, artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.
In addition to the Original flavour, Babybel offers a variety of other flavours, including Light, White Cheddar, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Plant-Based options. These cheeses are conveniently wrapped and perfect for snacking, pairing with a party snack platter, or creating unique recipe ideas.
Cheese on Pizza: Exploring the Perfect Mozzarella
You may want to see also
It is made using traditional Edam-making processes
Babybel Original is a semi-soft cheese with a delicate, nutty flavour. It is made using traditional Edam-making processes, with a few key differences. Firstly, Babybel is made with pasteurised milk, while traditional Edam uses raw milk. Secondly, Babybel uses rennet from vegetarian sources, rather than animal sources. This makes Babybel a lacto-vegetarian-friendly cheese option.
The process of making Babybel cheese involves adding lactic ferments and salt to pasteurised milk, and then coagulating the milk with rennet. The curds are then cut, stirred, and heated, and the whey is drained off. The curds are then pressed into small rounds and coated in a blend of coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax. This wax coating is what gives Babybel its signature red colour.
The traditional Edam-making process involves similar steps, but on a larger scale. The curds are pressed into larger rounds and soaked in a brine solution before being coated in a protective layer of paraffin wax. This wax coating helps to preserve the cheese and enhance its flavour.
Overall, the Babybel cheese-making process adheres closely to the traditional Edam-making method, with a few modifications to suit the smaller size and vegetarian-friendly nature of the Babybel product.
The Halal-Hara Cheese Conundrum
You may want to see also
It is 100% real cheese, not a processed cheese product
Babybel Original Cheese is 100% real cheese, made with just four ingredients: pasteurised milk, salt, lactic ferments, and rennet from vegetarian sources. It is a semi-soft, Edam-style cheese with a delicate, nutty flavour. Its small, individual portions are encased in the brand's signature red wax coating.
Babybel is produced by Le Groupe Bel, a company with roots in the Jura region of France, started by Jules Bel in 1865. The Babybel Original is the company's most popular product, with half of its global production taking place in Évron, a commune in the northwest of France. The product is also made in Kentucky, South Dakota, and Quebec.
Babybel Original is a mild, creamy, and delicious snack, perfect for cheese and crackers, or alongside pretzels for a crunchy duo. It is a good source of protein and calcium, and contains no artificial growth hormones, colours, flavours, or preservatives.
The product is marketed as an "always on-the-go and ready for anything" snack cheese, and its distinctive red wax coating adds to its appeal, making it fun to open and eat.
Chicken Sandwiches: Best Cheese Pairings for a Tasty Bite
You may want to see also
It is made with pasteurised milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt
Babybel Original is a semi-soft, mild, creamy, and delicious snack cheese. It is made using just four ingredients: pasteurised milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt. The use of pasteurised milk means that Babybel is 100% real cheese, rather than a processed cheese product. Pasteurised milk is also one of the key differences between Babybel and its Dutch cousin, Edam, which Babybel is modelled after.
Pasteurisation is a process that involves heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time to destroy harmful bacteria. This process helps to kill pathogens, prolongs the shelf life of the milk, and makes it safer to consume. The milk used in Babybel is pasteurised before it is formed into the cheese's distinctive red wax-covered wheels.
Rennet is another crucial ingredient in the production of Babybel cheese. It is a complex mixture of enzymes that are derived from the stomachs of ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep, and goats. Rennet plays a vital role in the coagulation of milk, causing it to separate into solid curds and liquid whey. This separation is essential for the formation of cheese. In the case of Babybel, the rennet used is sourced from vegetarian origins, making it suitable for lacto-vegetarians.
Lactic ferments are also added during the cheese-making process. These ferments are produced by bacteria that feed on lactose, the sugar found in milk. They contribute to the development of flavour and texture in the cheese. Lactic ferments give Babybel its characteristic nutty flavour and creamy, supple texture.
Finally, salt is added to Babybel to enhance its flavour and act as a preservative. Salt helps to draw out moisture from the cheese, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and thus increasing its shelf life. It also balances the other flavours in the cheese, creating a harmonious taste profile.
Cheese Options for Mexican Quesadillas: A Guide
You may want to see also
Babybel is a brand of small, snack cheese products
The "Original", most popular, Mini Babybel is an Edam-style cheese made from pasteurised milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt. It is made using traditional Edam-making processes, except that rennet from vegetarian sources is used. It is also naturally lactose-free. Babybel Original is mild, creamy, and delicious, making it the perfect cheese for cheese and crackers. It pairs perfectly with pretzels for a creamy, crunchy duo. It is a wonderful snack during a workday or as a surprise in a school lunch.
Babybel is known for its packaging, consisting of a netted bag in which each piece of cheese is encased in a blend of coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax, inside of a cellophane wrapper made of wood pulp, cotton, or "other vegetation." The cheese is conveniently wrapped and ready for snacking, making it a playful snack for any occasion.
Babybel has a wide range of flavours, including Light, White Cheddar, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Gouda. They also offer a variety pack that features an irresistible selection of Babybel's iconic mini cheeses, each encased in its signature red wax coating.
Cauliflower's Cheesy Affair: Best Cheese Pairings
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Babybel is a semi-soft, mild, creamy, and nutty Edam-style cheese.
Babybel is made from pasteurised milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt.
Yes, Babybel is suitable for vegetarians as it uses rennet from vegetarian sources. It is also naturally lactose-free.
Babybel is a popular snack cheese, often enjoyed with crackers or pretzels.