Babybel: A Semi-Soft Cheese For The Ages

Babybel is a brand of small, snack-sized cheese products that are individually packaged and available in various flavours. The original flavour is a semi-soft, Edam-style cheese with a delicate, nutty flavour. It is made using traditional Edam-making processes, with the only difference being that Babybel uses rennet from vegetarian sources rather than animal sources. The cheese is made from pasteurised milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt, and is naturally lactose-free.

Babybel's distinctive red wax coating

The red wax coating is also a clever marketing tool. The bright red colour is eye-catching and has become synonymous with the brand. The act of peeling the wax is also a fun, tactile experience for the consumer and adds to the overall enjoyment of the product.

The wax is not meant to be eaten, although the Babybel website FAQ states that consuming it will not cause any serious digestive issues. It is best to discard the wax and enjoy the creamy, semi-soft cheese inside.

The Babybel brand has been around since 1952, but the miniature wax-wrapped discs were first launched in 1977. The French brand has since become a global success, with its unique, bite-sized cheese wheels capturing the hearts and palates of cheese lovers everywhere.

Babybel's ingredients and nutritional profile

Babybel cheese is made from pasteurised cultured milk, salt, and microbial enzymes. It is suitable for vegetarians, and free from artificial preservatives, colours, flavours, and growth hormones. Each 20g Babybel cheese wheel contains 4g of protein and is a good source of calcium.

Babybel is a 100% natural cheese, and its signature red wax coating makes it easily recognisable. The cheese is described as mild, creamy, and delicious, with a semi-soft texture. It is a good snack option, pairing well with crackers and pretzels, and can also be used in recipes.

Babybel cheese is available in a variety of flavours, including Original, Light, White Cheddar, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Gouda. The brand also offers plant-based, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly options, which are wrapped in green wax.

Babybel cheese is a source of calcium and protein, and the brand's website provides detailed nutritional information for each variety. The Original variety, for example, contains 70 calories per 20g serving, with 5g of fat, 4g of protein, and 0.5g of carbohydrates. The Light variety has 50 calories per 20g serving, with 3.5g of fat, 5g of protein, and 0.5g of carbohydrates.

The nutritional content of Babybel cheese makes it a convenient and tasty snack option, providing protein and calcium for a balanced diet.

Babybel's storage and preparation

Babybel cheese is a convenient snack for any occasion. Its protective wax coating means it can be stored unrefrigerated at room temperature (20°C) for several hours, making it ideal for lunchboxes, picnics, and even backpacking trips. However, like most cheeses, Babybel is best kept refrigerated to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage, especially if consumed by pregnant women.

When preparing Babybel cheese for snacking, simply pull, peel, and enjoy! The wax coating is "food-safe" and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested. To enhance your snacking experience, pair it with your favourite crackers, fruits, or vegetables. For a heartier option, create mini sandwiches by topping a Babybel cheese half with tomatoes, bacon, and lettuce, then covering it with the other cheese half and securing it with a toothpick.

For children under four, it is recommended to cut the Babybel cheese into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking hazards. Always supervise children while they are eating. Additionally, Babybel cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various recipes, such as adding a creamy touch to sandwiches or creating unique dishes like Babybel-based mini BLTs.

When storing Babybel cheese, it is essential to follow proper food safety guidelines. The cheese should be kept in its original packaging, ensuring the wax coating is intact, and stored in the refrigerator. If you plan to consume the cheese within a few hours, it can be safely stored at room temperature. However, for longer periods, refrigeration is necessary to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.

In terms of shelf life, Babybel cheese generally has a longer shelf life than other soft cheeses due to its protective wax coating. The exact duration depends on the product's best-before date and storage conditions. When in doubt, always refer to the packaging for specific storage instructions and consume the product before the indicated date.

Babybel's history and marketing

Babybel cheese was first introduced internationally by The Bel Group, a company with roots in the Jura region of France, in 1952. The original version was a 200-gram wheel of French-style Edam cheese, encased in red wax. In 1977, the company debuted the Mini Babybel, a smaller, snack-sized version that would become its flagship product. The Mini Babybel is usually sold in a net bag, with each individual piece coated in a blend of coloured paraffin and microcrystalline wax, inside a cellophane wrapper. This smaller size proved to be a huge success, and today, 75% of Mini Babybels are consumed outside of France.

The original Babybel is an Edam-style cheese made from pasteurised milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt, using traditional Edam-making processes. It is naturally lactose-free, with no artificial growth hormones, colours, flavours, or preservatives. The mild, creamy flavour and soft texture of Babybel have made it a popular snack for both children and adults.

Babybel has been marketed as a healthy and convenient snack, with a focus on its real cheese flavour and all-natural ingredients. The brand has also emphasised its convenience, with the slogan "always on the go and ready for anything". In the 1980s, Babybel launched a series of TV commercials that helped to shape its image as a fun, tasty, and healthy snack. The jingle used in these commercials, an adaptation of The Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann", remains one of its most memorable advertising moments.

In recent years, Babybel has expanded its product line to include new flavours and snack lines, such as Mini Rolls, as well as plant-based and vitamin-boosted options. The company has also shown its commitment to sustainability by partnering with TerraCycle to make its packaging, including the wax wrapper, recyclable.

Babybel's plant-based alternatives

Babybel is a French cheese inspired by the Dutch recipe for Edam. It is a bite-sized, creamy, semi-soft cheese with a distinctive red wax coating. Babybel has also released plant-based alternatives to cater to vegans, the lactose intolerant, and those looking to bring plant-based alternatives into their snacking routines.

Babybel's plant-based cheese is Certified Plant-Based, non-GMO, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. It is a good source of Vitamin B12 and Calcium and has a smooth texture similar to mozzarella. The plant-based cheese is wrapped in green wax, Babybel's signature colour for plant-based products.

Babybel's plant-based cheese has a mild cheese flavour without any unpleasant aftertaste. It is made from water, modified food starch, coconut oil, calcium citrate, salt, natural flavour, citric acid, beta-carotene (colour), and cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12). Each piece is 20g and the product is available in packs of 20 or 26.

The plant-based cheese is a great option for a quick vegan snack, a non-dairy cheese to snack on, or a cheese alternative for a vegan cheeseboard. It can be paired with crackers, pita chips, fruit, vegetables, bread, pretzels, and nuts. It can also be added to a cheese board or charcuterie board for parties.

Frequently asked questions