Babybel is a popular French brand of cheese. Especially the snack-sized mini Babybel is enjoyed around the world in various flavors. Any kind of cheese has its own shelf life so does Babybel. So how long does Babybel Cheese last? Today we will focus on the shelf life of Babybel Cheese in this article so you will know when to eat it. Besides, you will be able to learn how to store and preserve them properly, so keep reading!
What is Babybel Cheese?
Babybel Cheese originated in France in 1952 as a product of ‘Le Groupe Bel’ (The Bel Group). Basically, pasteurized cow’s milk is used to produce this cheese, and its average fat content is 69%. Although the texture is smooth, it is semi-hard. Since it contains calcium, Babybel Cheese has a high nutritional value as well.
Later, its smaller version has become the most popular Babybel Cheese as an on-the-go snack worldwide. It is known as ‘mini Babybel’, and there are different kinds of flavors such as Light, Bonbel, White Cheddar, Gouda, etc. Each piece of mini Babybel Cheese is coated with red wax in a netted bag.
How Long Does Babybel Cheese Last?
The good quality of Babybel Cheese is determined by the temperature as any other cheese. In other words, you need to freeze or refrigerate Babybel cheese to preserve it for a long time.
In general, you can keep the wax-coated Babybel Cheese for up to four hours in good condition without a freezer or refrigerator. But the room temperature should be around 20 degrees Celsius.
The reason why, Babybel Cheese is known as a ‘fresh cheese’ as the company claims. But Babybel gouda and cheddar are hard cheeses, so you can preserve them for up to 7 days at room temperature with their wax coating.
It is vital to keep soft Babybel Cheese in the refrigerator; otherwise, it can melt. So, if you hope to pack Babybel Cheese for a picnic, make sure to choose a hard cheese.
If you keep any Babybel Cheese in the refrigerator with its wax sealing, you are able to preserve them for up to six months.
The wax coating of mini Babybel helps to keep them moist and fresh without drying, melting or spoiling. Anyways, after you remove it, you need to keep leftovers in the freezer.
And remember that the company’s instruction is to eat Babybel Cheese before the date that has been printed on the wax coating.
How to Store Babybel Cheese?
It would always be better to store Babybel Cheese with its wax coating, which acts as a seal whether you refrigerate it or not.
Therefore, you need to preserve it from direct sunlight, excessive moisture and air. Otherwise, some harmful bacteria can grow on cheese quickly. If you do not keep them in a fridge, store them in a cool, dark place with their wax coating.
When it comes to the temperature level, 35F to 41F is the most suitable temperature for Babybel Cheese. Thus, it would be best to store Babybel Cheese in the refrigerator. Then you can preserve them for up to 6 months.
If the wax coating is removed, use an air-tight container to place the cheese. But if you store them for such a long time, the real taste of Babybel Cheese might lose. So, remember that the fresher ones always taste better.
Signs that Babybel Cheese has Gone Bad
If you could not preserve the Babybel Cheese properly, it can spoil like any other cheese. And these signs will help you to identify Babybel Cheese that has gone bad.
- The texture of the Babybel Cheese becomes hard and rubbery when it has gone bad. Usually, it has a smooth texture.
- You will see some white spots on the cheese. But the mouldy part can be cut off to eat the rest of the cheese, in case the cheese is a hard type like cheddar.
- The original smell of the cheese might change into a nasty smell.
- In case you taste the spoilt cheese, you will notice that the taste resembles spoilt milk.
If you notice these clues, do not consume the cheese. Otherwise, you might have to face some health issues.
Can you Freeze Babybel Cheese?
Of course, you can! Indeed, it is essential to freeze the Babybel Cheese like any other cheese in the market if you want to keep them for a long time. Actually, there will not be an issue with eating Babybel Cheese even after the expiration date if the cheese is properly preserved. But if it is a soft cheese, do not eat it after the expiration date.
When you freeze them, use an air-tight container or air-tight bag if the wax coating has been removed. It is important to cover the cheese well because in case the cheese spoils, the nasty smell can spread in the refrigerator.
However, if you freeze the cheese for a long time, its taste and texture can be slightly changed.
Especially if you freeze soft cheese, you will notice that its texture has considerably changed. So before eating, you can take them out from the fridge and let them cool down for a while.
Does Vacuum Sealed Cheese Expire?
If you seal the cheese before refrigerating, you can keep them for up to 6 months because the excessive air cannot carry unnecessary bacteria onto the cheese. In order to do that, you will need a vacuum sealer.
Put the leftover cheese in an air-tight bag, then remove the excess air using the vacuum sealer. However, make sure to check the color, odor and texture of the cheese before eating it.
Does Babybel Cheese Need to be Refrigerated?
It is not vital to keep the Babybel Cheese in your refrigerator if you hope to eat it within the next few hours. But if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, you cannot keep them unrefrigerated for even 4 hours. And you have to refrigerate them in case you want to preserve them to eat later.
Therefore, the matter that Babybel Cheese needs to be refrigerated depends on the current temperature level and when you wish to eat it.
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Video Credits – It’s Arabella!
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