So, you want to know why does Babybel cheese come in wax?
It seems weird that out of all the cheeses there are, Babybel is completely surrounded by a wax coating.
Is there a specific reason for this?
Is there something different about Babybel when compared to other cheeses?
In this article, I’d like to explain the real reasons why Babybel comes in wax and what this means for you.
The main reason Babybel comes in wax is to provide a protective and safe coating. Not only does this help Babybel to retain its moisture, thus preventing it from going dry, but it also helps to prevent the formation of mold. Therefore, your Babybel’s freshness is perfectly retained until you choose to break the wax and eat it.
1. Why Do They Put Wax on Babybel Cheese?
It’s not only Babybel that has a wax coating; there are, indeed, many other kinds of cheese that have this.
In truth, a Babybel is nothing more than a miniature Edam, yet another cheese that has a red wax coating.
The reason for adding a wax coating to Babybel is purely for protection.
Firstly, the wax coating ensures that your cheese retains its moisture so that it won’t dry out.
It also protects against the formation of mold, which often happens when cheese of any type is exposed to air and the elements.
The actual wax that is used to protect Babybel happens to be extremely cheap to produce, and it’s also completely recyclable.
So, in effect, there is absolutely no waste factor from surrounding Babybel with wax.
This is even true of the red cellophane wrapper, which once more is completely biodegradable.
The wax coating on a Babybel also ensures that your cheese can typically last for up to 6 months in the refrigerator.
2. How is Wax Put on BabyBel Cheese?
Once the Babybel cheese has been produced, it is then double-dipped in wax.
Firstly, the cheese pieces are dipped in clear wax in order to seal the cheese in.
Then it is dipped in the famous and instantly recognizable Babybel red wax.
“Dipping” is simply one method of adding wax to cheese, although this is always how wax is added to Babybel in the factory environment.
However, there are other hard cheeses, which typically have a wax casing around the outside, that are waxed in a different way.
This usually involves using a natural bristled brush and applying wax to the surface of the cheese.
So, you literally “paint” wax onto the cheese surface and then allow it to harden.
Mini Babybel “Unwrapped”
3. Can You Eat the Wax off a Babybel?
I knew it, it was only a matter of time before you asked.
Plus, you just know that someone has tried this, so we do have a definitive answer to can you eat the wax off a Babybel?
Just so you’re aware, you can eat the wax off a Babybel, although I wouldn’t recommend it (purely for taste reasons, you understand).
The wax coating around a Babybel is a mixture of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes.
And most importantly, it doesn’t contain any Bisphenol.
Bisphenol has been used for many years to make certain plastics and resins.
However, Bisphenol can have a toxic effect on humans and animals.
That being said, you can rest assured that there is no Bisphenol in Babybel’s wax coating.
In fact, the wax coating has passed many strict regulatory standards and has been marked as “food safe.”
So, if you or your pet accidentally (or even purposefully) ingest the red wax coating, there will be absolutely no harmful effects.
Final Thoughts
So, as you can see, the main reason that Babybel cheese comes in wax is for protection.
Firstly, this ensures that your cheese won’t dry out.
Furthermore, it also means that your cheese won’t be exposed to the elements, which is typically how mold forms.
And just for interest, the wax coating has been marked as “food safe,” which means you won’t suffer any harmful effects if you accidentally ingest it.
So, if the wax keeps the cheese safe, does that mean you can eat Babybel beyond its expiry date?