Unraveling The Mystery Of Babybel's Red Wrapper Cheese

Babybel is a brand of small, snack cheese products that are individually packaged and available in various flavors. The original Mini Babybel is an Edam-style cheese, made from pasteurized milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt, and is naturally lactose-free. The product is perhaps most well-known for its packaging, which consists of a netted bag, in which each piece of cheese is encased in a blend of colored paraffin and microcrystalline wax, inside a cellophane wrapper. The red wax coating is not unique to the brand, with a variety of other hard and semi-hard cheeses making use of the bright-colored wax. However, Babybel's red wax coating has become iconic, and the product is easily recognizable.

Babybel is made by Le Groupe Bel, a company founded in France in 1865

Babybel is made by Le Groupe Bel, a company with roots in the Jura region of France, started by Jules Bel in 1865. Jules Bel set up a Comté cheese ripening and trade business in the Jura region of France, which would later become Le Groupe Bel. After Jules Bel passed away in 1904, his son, Léon Bel, took over the business. In the aftermath of World War I, Léon Bel recognised the potential of processed cheese that was tasty, affordable, and easy to transport and preserve. With this vision, he founded Fromageries Bel in 1922.

In 1921, Léon Bel registered the trademark for Laughing Cow, a unique product in France with its melt-in-the-mouth taste, individual portions, triangular shape, and wrapping. The famous red cow logo was designed by renowned animal illustrator Benjamin Rabier. The Laughing Cow began production in 1924, with Léon Bel installing melting mixers and portioning equipment in the factory in Lons-le-Saunier. Two years later, he built a new, ultra-modern factory in the same region.

Building on the success of Laughing Cow, Le Groupe Bel continued to innovate and expand its product offerings. In 1933, the Group launched the Babybel brand, which has since become a household name for snack cheese products. Babybel is known for its distinctive packaging, with each piece of cheese encased in a blend of coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax, inside a cellophane wrapper. The original and most popular Mini Babybel is an Edam-style cheese, made using traditional processes but with vegetarian rennet, making it naturally lactose-free.

Le Groupe Bel has become a major international player in the food industry, with a strong focus on providing healthier and more sustainable food options. The company has a long history of innovation, constantly evolving its products to meet changing consumer needs and preferences. Today, Le Groupe Bel has a global presence, with production sites and subsidiaries worldwide, and continues to expand its business beyond cheese, offering a diverse range of healthy snacking options.

The cheese is packaged in a netted bag, encased in wax and then wrapped in cellophane

Babybel cheese is famous for its red wax coating, which is not unique to the brand. A variety of other hard and semi-hard cheeses also use bright-coloured wax coatings. The wax coating on Babybel cheese is iconic and offers an unparalleled unwrapping experience. Each piece of cheese is encased in a blend of coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax, inside a cellophane wrapper made of wood pulp, cotton, or other vegetation. The wax is soft and pliable, protecting the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying during the ageing process. It also helps the cheese last for over a week in the refrigerator.

Babybel cheese is packaged in a netted bag, with each piece of cheese individually wrapped in wax and then cellophane. The wax used to coat the cheese is food-safe and meets strict regulatory standards. It poses no health risk if accidentally ingested, according to the company. The wax is also free of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound commonly found in plastic food packaging.

The cellophane wrapper that encases the wax-coated cheese serves as an additional layer of protection and preservation. It is made from sustainable materials such as wood pulp, cotton, or other plant-based sources. This inner wrapping ensures that the cheese remains fresh and protected during transportation and storage. The netted bag, which holds multiple pieces of cheese, provides a convenient way to transport and display the product.

The combination of the netted bag, wax coating, and cellophane wrapper creates a unique and functional packaging for Babybel cheese. This packaging design not only preserves the quality and freshness of the cheese but also contributes to its iconic status and brand recognition. The individual wrapping of each cheese wheel makes it convenient for snacking and perfect for tossing into lunchboxes or enjoying straight from the fridge.

Babybel is made using traditional Edam-making processes, with vegetarian rennet

Babybel is a brand of small snack cheese products that are individually packaged and available in various flavours. The original Mini Babybel is an Edam-style cheese made from pasteurised milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt.

The process of making Babybel involves traditional Edam-making techniques, with a twist. The key difference lies in the source of rennet used. Instead of using animal-based rennet, Babybel is made with vegetarian rennet, derived from non-animal sources. This substitution sets Babybel apart from traditional Edam cheese, making it suitable for vegetarians.

The process of crafting Babybel cheese begins with the selection of high-quality milk, which is then pasteurised to ensure food safety. The milk is then combined with vegetarian rennet, initiating the curdling process. This step is crucial, as it causes the milk to separate into solid curds and liquid whey. The curds are carefully collected and drained, removing excess moisture.

After draining, the curds are placed in moulds, which give Babybel its distinctive circular shape. The cheese is then allowed to rest and age, developing its signature flavour and texture. During this ageing process, the cheese is coated in a layer of red wax, which serves multiple purposes. The wax protects the cheese from unwanted mould growth and helps retain moisture, ensuring the cheese remains fresh and delicious.

The final step involves packaging the cheese. Each Babybel cheese is encased in a blend of coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax, creating a protective barrier. This wax coating, which is food-safe and poses no health risk if ingested, is then wrapped in a cellophane wrapper made from natural materials, such as wood pulp or cotton. This packaging not only preserves the quality of the cheese but also adds to the unique unwrapping experience that Babybel is known for.

Babybel is available in a variety of flavours, with corresponding wrapper colours

In Canada and the United States, Babybel is also available in black wax, while in Australia, it comes in purple wax. Other colours include yellow, brown/orange, turquoise, and magenta, each with their own unique flavour.

The variety of flavours and colours makes Babybel a fun and convenient snack option for consumers around the world. The wax coating not only adds to the fun unwrapping experience but also serves a functional purpose, protecting the cheese from bacteria, mould, and drying.

The red wax coating is not unique to Babybel, and is also used for other hard and semi-hard cheeses

Babybel cheese is famous for its red wax coating, which is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying while it ages. This wax is soft and pliable, and the cheese is wrapped in it to provide an unparalleled unwrapping experience. However, the red wax coating is not exclusive to Babybel cheese. Wax coating is often used for other hard and semi-hard cheeses that only need a few months to age. This method helps prevent unwanted mould growth and retains moisture while the cheese is aged.

Semi-soft and soft cheeses form their own rinds, which eventually perform a similar function. Aside from Babybel, one of the most recognisable red-waxed cheeses is Gouda, a semi-hard Dutch cheese with a mild, nutty flavour and a smooth, creamy texture. Cheddar is also commonly found in red wax. Various other cheeses, such as Parmesan and Brie, can be found wrapped in black, orange, and yellow waxes. All cheese waxes are opaque to shield the cheese from ultraviolet light.

Wax is also used to package other food products, such as fruit snacks, Skittles, M&Ms, fruits, and vegetables, to keep them looking and tasting fresh. It helps these products retain moisture, enhances firmness, and slows down the natural degradation process. For example, wax is particularly useful for fruits like apples.

In addition to paraffin wax, carnauba wax, made from the leaves of the carnauba palm, is used for food packaging. It gives candy and fruit snacks their shiny appearance. Edible food coatings have been used since the 1100s when merchants in southern China used wax to preserve oranges.

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