Babybel Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Babybel Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Babybel Cheese?

Mini Babybel is a small Edam-style snack cheese from Le Groupe Bel of France, sold as individually waxed wheels in a netted bag. It is made with pasteurised milk and vegetarian rennet, and it is naturally lactose-free.

What Is Red Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is an English cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, close to Cheddar but crumblier. Annatto gives it its orange colour, and four to nine months of ageing takes it from mild and mellow to tangy and slightly nutty.

What's the Difference Between Babybel Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Babybel Cheese (France), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Babybel Cheese (pasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Babybel Cheese (Semi-hard), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, crumbly)
• Rind: Babybel Cheese (waxed), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Babybel Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Babybel Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Babybel Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, crumbly.

Which Is Better, Babybel Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Babybel Cheese. For a hard, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Babybel Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Babybel Cheese originates in France, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom.

Is Babybel Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Babybel Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Babybel Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Babybel Cheese made of?

Babybel Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using vegetable rennet. It originates in France.

What is Red Leicester Cheese made of?

Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Babybel Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Babybel Cheese is semi-hard, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, crumbly.