Babybel cheese is very nostalgic for many of us. The little snacks make great additions to school packed lunches, which is why they evoke such fond childhood memories.

But despite us enjoying them since 1977, people are only just realising how the dairy product got its name. On X, one user joked: "The name Babybel suggests the existence of Motherbels and Daddybels."

However, there is a much more logical explanation. Babybels are manufactured by The Bel Group, a French company with other well-known cheese brands like The Laughing Cow.

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The "baby" part may be a reference to it being the product of the Bel family company. But it's also pretty apt because the cheese wheels are so tiny!

The original Babybel cheese itself, a larger version, dates back to 1952. But the Mini Babybel – known for its small snack-sized portions – came into being 25 years later.

It became very recognisable when the company introduced the signature bright red wax coating and cellophane wrap in the 1970s, which helped to keep the product fresh and also made the cheese stand out on shop shelves.

Babybel has been a household name ever since – and now comes in many different varieties. The original is a mild, creamy Edam cheese. But there's also light versions, as well as variants such as gouda, cheddar and mozzarella.

The company has also experimented with goat's cheese, Emmental and Monterey Jack options in the past. Then to cater to the vegans out there, the company launched a plant-based Babybel. This product is made with coconut oil and starch and comes in distinctive green wax packaging.

So there you have it – some fun trivia about Babybel you can chat about down the pub. While you're at it, you might also want to swat up about

And in other interesting news, in the past. Every day is a learning day!