String Cheese vs. Babybel

String cheese and Babybel cheese are two popular snack cheese options for both kids and adults. They come pre-portioned into handy on-the-go servings and appeal to cheese lovers with their creamy, salty, tangy flavors.

But when comparing string cheese and Babybel side by side, which one comes out on top?

Ingredients Comparison

The first area to compare is ingredients. Checking the ingredients list can reveal if products contain anything questionable and also how much real cheese they actually contain.

String Cheese Ingredients

• Milk
• Cheese cultures
• Salt
• Enzymes

Babybel Ingredients

• Pasteurized milk
• Cheese cultures
• Salt
• Enzymes

The main takeaway from the ingredients comparison is that both string cheese and Babybel contain real cheese made from milk along with salt and enzymes. Babybel only contains milk and cheese ingredients, while string cheese often has additional ingredients depending on the variety, such as paprika for color.

Nutritional Value Comparison

When comparing the nutrition in string cheese and Babybel, it helps to look at the content per ounce (28 grams) serving. Here is how two popular varieties stack up:

Based on the nutrition comparison per serving, Babybel is higher in calories, fat, protein and calcium compared to string cheese. However, Babybel contains less sodium per ounce.

Both cheeses provide an excellent source of protein and calcium for their size, while being low carb options.

Taste and Texture

When it comes to taste and texture preferences, string cheese and Babybel offer some clear differences:

String cheese lives up to its name with a stringy, peelable texture. The taste is mild, salty, and slightly tangy like mozzarella cheese.

Babybel has a smoother, creamier texture thanks to its semi-soft ripened cheese inside. The wax rind gives a satisfying peel. The flavor is gently tangy, nutty, sweet - similar to gouda or edam cheese.

The textures and flavors cater to different tastes and cheese cravings. String cheese appeals more to fans of salty, stringy mozzarella, while Babybel suits those wanting a creamier, nuttier snack cheese.

Key Takeaway: String cheese suits salty string cheese fans. Babybel excels with its smooth, subtly sweet flavor profile.

Price and Value Comparison

To determine which cheese gives better value, let's break down the typical cost per ounce:

String cheese packs with 5-8 sticks usually cost $2.50-3.00. With ~1oz per stick, that’s $0.31-0.50 per ounce.

Babybel packs with 5-6 rounds average $3.50-4.00. With 0.75-1oz cheeses, each ounce runs $0.46-0.66 on average.

Based on typical prices, string cheese delivers better value, working out around 20-35% cheaper per ounce than Babybel. However, Babybel gives you more calcium and protein per ounce.

Convenience Comparison

Both string cheese and Babybel score highly for convenience thanks to their portability and built-in portions:

• They don't require refrigeration before opening.
• Peelable coverings keep hands mess-free.
• Easy to toss in lunch boxes, bags, snacks draws etc.
• Hold shape well compared to cheese cubes/slices.
• No prep needed - just grab and go!

With these advantages, string cheese and Babybel lend themselves perfectly to on-the-go occasions from school lunches to road trips.

FAQs

Is string cheese processed?

Authentic string cheese contains just four basic ingredients - milk, cheese cultures, enzymes and salt. So while it goes through processing to achieve the signature stringy texture, it qualifies as real mozzarella cheese, not a cheese product. The level of processing varies by brand.

Is Babybel real cheese?

Yes, Babybel is made from real cheese ingredients including pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, enzymes and salt. It undergoes processing to form the small rounds encased in wax, but contains no artificial additives or cheese substitutes.

Which cheese is healthier?

Both string cheese and Babybel offer nutrition benefits. String cheese tends to be lower in total fat and calories per ounce. Babybel provides more protein and calcium per serving. For the healthiest option, choose low-sodium varieties of either cheese.

Which is more expensive?

Per ounce, string cheese typically costs 20-35% less than Babybel. But Babybel gives you more nutrition per ounce. Consider your budget and nutritional priorities when deciding.

Conclusion

With their grab-and-go convenience, protein punch, and calcium benefits, both string cheese and Babybel make tasty snack options.

String cheese suits stringy texture fans on a budget, while Babybel excels in flavor and nutrition density. The winner depends most on your personal tastes and needs!