Babybel Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese
Babybel Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.
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 Roquefort Cheese?
Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.
What's the Difference Between Babybel Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?
- Milk type: Babybel Cheese (cow's milk), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Babybel Cheese (pasteurized), Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Babybel Cheese (semi-hard), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
- Rind: Babybel Cheese (waxed), Roquefort Cheese (none)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Babybel Cheese | Roquefort Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | France | Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-hard | Moist, very creamy |
| Rind | Waxed | None |
| Aging | — | Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months |
| Taste | — | Mild to strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Babybel Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Babybel Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
Babybel Cheese can stand in for Roquefort Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, very creamy.
Which Is Better, Babybel Cheese or Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Babybel Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Babybel Cheese is made from cow milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep.
Is Babybel Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Babybel Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Babybel Cheese taste like Roquefort 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 Roquefort Cheese made of?
Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Babybel Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Babybel Cheese is semi-hard, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.