The original Babybel cheese in the red wrapper with red wax is a French version of Dutch edam cheese made from cow's milk. As of 2014, there are eight other varieties distinguished by the color of the wrapper and wax. In North America, only the mini Babybels are available.
The Babybel debuted in France in 1952. In 1977, the company introduced the miniature version of its product. As of 2014, three-quarters of the mini Babybels the company sells are consumed outside of France. The white cheese is high in protein and available in a reduced-fat version. With the waxed rind, it remains safe to eat without refrigeration for up to a day.
