Cheese of the Week - Mini Baby Bells

Babybel is a brand of cheese sold internationally. The Bel Group introduced Babybel in 1952 and in 1977 Mini Babybel was launched in France. In 1979, Mini Babybel was launched in the U.S. under the Laughing Cow umbrella brand. As of 2011, Mini Babybel is eaten in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. As of March 2011, 75% of all Mini Babybel cheese is eaten outside of France.

The brand is marketed as a natural, convenient snack. Flavors distributed in the U.S. are created in Leitchfield, Kentucky, and at times in France.

Mini Babybel is known for its unique packaging which consists of a netted bag in which each piece is encased in wax. Numerous flavors of Mini Babybel are offered across the world. The original Mini Babybel and US distributed Mini Babybel light, an Edam variety, is encased in red wax. Other varieties offered in Europe are available such as Mini Babybel Light (diet version of the Edam variety) in white wax with a light blue label, Emmental in yellow wax, Gouda in yellow wax with an orange wrapper, Goat in green wax and Cheddar in purple wax. The original is also available in Kosher and Halal variety in the UK, which come in nets of 5 with each cheese wheel weighing 22 grams - slightly more than the original varieties. Tesco and Sainsbury's are the first major UK supermarkets to sell Kosher/Halal Mini Babybel ranges.Others have shown interest.

There are currently nine flavors offered in the US: Original, Sharp Original, Light, Bonbel, Cheddar, White Cheddar, Emmental Art, Swiss, and Gouda.