Frederic Melton
Babybel is a brand of small, snack cheese products that are individually packaged and available in various flavours. The original, classic Mini Babybel is a French cheese inspired by the Dutch recipe for Edam. The cheese is mild, creamy, and bursting with flavour, making it a perfect snack for cheese and crackers or pretzels. Over the years, Babybel has added several flavours and colours to their range, including Purple Babybel (Cheddar), Orange Babybel (Gouda), Yellow Babybel (Emmental), Dark Green Babybel (Mozzarella), Turquoise Babybel (Monterey Jack), and Green Leaves Babybel (Coconut Oil).
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Babybel Original Cheese
The cheese is known for its distinctive packaging, with each piece encased in a blend of coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax, inside a cellophane wrapper made of wood pulp, cotton, or other vegetation. The signature red wax seal of Babybel Original Cheese makes it easily recognisable, and the wax coating adds to the fun and playful nature of the snack.
Best Cheeses to Compliment Chicken Salad
You may want to see also
Babybel Blue is made from pasteurised milk
The use of pasteurised milk in Babybel Blue is also notable because it is a departure from traditional cheese-making methods. In the past, cheeses were often made with raw, unpasteurised milk, which can impart a unique flavour and texture to the final product. However, pasteurisation has become a standard practice in the dairy industry due to its ability to improve food safety and extend the shelf life of products.
The process of pasteurisation involves heating milk to a high temperature, typically between 72°C and 75°C, for a short period. This temperature range is known as the "high-temperature, short-time" (HTST) pasteurisation method, and it is effective in killing off harmful bacteria while preserving the quality and flavour of the milk. This method is commonly used in the production of cheese, ensuring that the final product is safe for consumption.
By using pasteurised milk, Babybel Blue benefits from a longer shelf life and improved food safety. This allows the cheese to be distributed and enjoyed by consumers worldwide, contributing to its popularity as a convenient and tasty snack. The pasteurisation process also helps to maintain the creamy texture and flavour that Babybel is known for, making it a favourite among cheese enthusiasts.
In addition to pasteurisation, Babybel Blue is also crafted with specific cultures and enzymes that contribute to its unique characteristics. These cultures and enzymes work in conjunction with the pasteurised milk to develop the cheese's flavour and texture, resulting in the beloved snack that has captured the hearts of cheese lovers everywhere.
Cheese Dip Delights: Exploring Varieties and Flavors
You may want to see also
Babybel's distinctive red wax coating
The red wax coating is also a clever marketing tool, helping Babybel stand out from its competitors on the shelf. The coating is so well-known that the cheese is often referred to as a 'little red wax wheel'.
The wax coating is also practical for preserving the cheese. It helps to keep the cheese fresh and also provides a protective barrier, ensuring the cheese stays hygienic and safe to eat. The wax is also useful for portion control, as each wax wheel contains one serving of cheese.
The red wax coating has become synonymous with the Babybel brand and has contributed to its success as a snack cheese. It is a clever combination of form and function, helping to create a unique and popular product. The coating is so well-loved that it has even been retained for Babybel's plant-based cheese, although the wax is green to differentiate it from the dairy version.
Cheese Choices for Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Babybel is a French cheese
The original, classic Mini Babybel is a French cheese inspired by the Dutch recipe for Edam. Edam, which is of Dutch origin, is a pressed uncooked cheese with subtle sweet notes of grassiness and a touch of nuttiness. Traditional Edam is not typically tangy or tart, but Babybel cheeses are. The Mini Babybel is made using traditional Edam-making processes, with rennet from vegetarian sources, and is also naturally lactose-free.
Babybel is known for its distinctive red wax coating, which encases each bite-sized cheese wheel. The cheese is mild, creamy, and delicious, making it a perfect snack for any occasion. It is a 100% real cheese snack with no artificial growth hormones, artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. Babybel contains 4g of protein and is a good source of calcium.
Over the years, Le Groupe Bel has added several flavours and colours to their range, including Cheddar, Gouda, Emmental, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and a plant-based option made with coconut oil. Each flavour is a testament to the artistry of cheesemaking, and the playful nature of the little red wax wheels makes them a popular choice for snacking on the go.
Beef Stroganoff: Choosing the Perfect Cheesy Topping
You may want to see also
Babybel is inspired by Dutch Edam cheese
Babybel is a brand of small snack cheese products that are individually packaged and available in various flavours. The original, classic Mini Babybel is a French cheese inspired by the Dutch recipe for Edam.
Edam, which is of Dutch origin, is a pressed uncooked cheese with subtle sweet notes of grassiness and a touch of nuttiness. Traditional Edam is not typically tangy or tart, but Babybel cheeses are. The original Babybel is made using traditional Edam-making processes, except that it uses vegetarian rennet rather than animal rennet. It is also naturally lactose-free.
The Dutch recipe for Edam is an ideal source of inspiration for Babybel, as the cheese is known for its sweet and nutty flavours and pressed, uncooked texture. This combination of flavours and textures is a popular one, and lends itself well to a snack cheese. Babybel has taken this traditional Dutch recipe and adapted it to create a unique product with a tangier, more modern flavour.
The Babybel cheese-making process also differs from traditional Edam in its use of vegetarian rennet. This is a key point of difference, as it makes the cheese suitable for a wider range of consumers, including those who do not eat meat. Babybel's use of vegetarian rennet also demonstrates the brand's commitment to innovation and adaptability, taking a traditional recipe and making it more accessible to modern consumers.
Babybel's inspiration from Dutch Edam cheese is a testament to the brand's dedication to creating a high-quality, delicious snack cheese with a unique flavour and texture profile. By taking influence from traditional Dutch cheese-making, Babybel has crafted a product that has captured the hearts and palates of cheese lovers around the globe.
Cheese Exploration: Rolled Balls and Their Unique Flavors
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Babybel Blue is a Monterey Jack variety cheese. Monterey Jack is a mild, semi-hard, buttery cheese that originated in California, USA.
Babybel Blue is coated in a turquoise wax.
Babybel Blue has a mild, buttery flavour.
