When you stumble upon Old Croc Extra Sharp Cheddar on your next visit to Murray's Cheese inside City Market here in Pagosa Springs, prepare for a cheese that’s more than just a topping or sandwich filler. This cheddar is a bold ambassador of a fascinating culinary paradox: though crafted in the style of classic American extra sharp cheddars, it is proudly Australian in origin, giving it a distinctive twist that straddles hemispheres.

What Makes Old Croc Stand Out?

Old Croc Extra Sharp Cheddar is crafted from Australian cow’s milk, benefiting from the country’s unique terroir. Australian dairy cows graze on pastures nourished by volcanic soils, much like the carefully tended grasses around Pagosa Springs, which infuse their milk with subtle mineral notes. These soil and grass influences, termed "terroir" in cheesemaking, give Old Croc a depth distinct from other sharp cheddars.

The "extra sharp" descriptor signals a cheese that has been carefully aged to develop a stronger, tangier profile. Sharpness in cheddar is a result of aging—proteins break down over time, yielding complex flavors that are sometimes described as nutty, tangy, or even slightly fruity. Old Croc’s aging allows it to boast a flavor that’s intensely cheesy but balanced with a smooth finish that avoids bitterness.

The Australian-American Paradox: What’s in a Style?

Cheddar originally hails from England but found passionate homes in Australia and the United States, each developing its unique versions. Australian cheddars, including Old Croc, typically embrace slightly firmer textures and milder tangs when young but become deeply complex with aging—here, the influence of Australian pastures and climate plays a role. American extra sharp cheddars tend to be more aggressively acidic and crumbly.

Old Croc Extra Sharp cheddar embraces the American tradition of aging for a bold flavor punch but retains an Australian smoothness and buttery undertone. It’s a cheese that respects its Anglo-American roots while celebrating Australasia’s pristine dairy heritage.

Ingredients and Allergens

Old Croc Extra Sharp Cheddar is made from pasteurized cow’s milk, and the primary coagulant used is generally animal rennet, traditional in many artisanal cheddars. For allergy-aware cheese lovers, it contains dairy milk allergens and should be avoided by those with milk protein allergies or lactose intolerance.

Taking Your Taste Beyond the Basics: How to Enjoy Old Croc

Why not spotlight this bold cheese on your next cheese board? Given its sharp and intense profile, Old Croc Extra Sharp pairs beautifully with both robust and subtle flavors.

Pro Pairing Tip: Try combining it with a sweet contrast like local honey from Pagosa Farmers Market or a fruity chutney. The sweetness mellows the sharpness and brings out the cheddar’s nutty complexity.

For beverages, robust red wines such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or a smoky Porter beer complement the cheese’s assertive qualities.

A Cheese Story with a Global Pulse, Right in the Rockies

While Old Croc is crafted thousands of miles away, the booming interest in distinctive, terroir-driven cheeses is very much alive here in Pagosa Springs. Local cheese lovers can find Old Croc alongside other artisan cheeses at Murray’s Cheese inside City Market, a symphony of flavors both local and international.

Whether you're building a cheese board with selections from regional producers like those around the San Juan Mountains or exploring global taste sensations, Old Croc Extra Sharp Cheddar offers a fascinating glimpse into how geography, culture, and craft converge in your very own kitchen.

So next time you're craving a cheese that tells a story and delivers a bold, memorable flavor punch, give Old Croc Extra Sharp Cheddar a try—your palate will thank you.

You might say it’s the perfect edible paradox: Old Croc is both a taste born Down Under and a shout-out to an all-American favorite, a combination that defies borders and raises the bar for cheddar lovers everywhere.