Selling Guide: Old Croc Extra Sharp Cheddar

A Cheesemonger's Guide to Australia's "Outback Bold" Bite

Welcome to your comprehensive guide for Old Croc Extra Sharp Cheddar. This isn't just another sharp cheddar; it's a cheese with a story, a distinctive texture, and a bold personality that reflects its Australian origins.1 This guide is designed to give you the confidence and knowledge to turn a customer's curiosity into a confident purchase and a memorable flavor experience.

1. The Quick Pitch

Use these lines when you need to make a fast and powerful impression.

Elevator Pitch (2-3 sentences)

"If you're looking for a cheddar with a real personality, this is it. It's an adventurous, extra-sharp cheddar from Australia, aged over 18 months for a bold, nutty flavor and a fantastic crumbly texture with these little crunchy bits called 'flavor crystals'.2"

Key Selling Points

  • Bold & Complex Flavor: This cheese delivers a robust, tangy bite right away, which then mellows into a rich, savory, and nutty flavor with a long, satisfying finish. It's the result of being meticulously aged for over 18 months.4
  • Incredibly Satisfying Texture: Unlike rubbery, mass-market cheddars, this one is firm, dry, and crumbly.7 Its signature feature is the presence of calcium lactate crystals, which provide a delightful, granular crunch—the true sign of a well-made, mature cheddar.2
  • Superior Provenance & Quality: It's crafted in Australia from the pure, pasteurized milk of grass-fed cows that graze on lush pastures.1 This all-natural, Non-GMO cheese has no added hormones, and the grass-fed milk makes it naturally richer in omega-3s and vitamin E.1

"If you like X, you'll love this"

  • Suggest this cheese by saying, "If you enjoy a sharp English farmhouse cheddar or an aged Vermont cheddar, you'll love the bold, nutty character of this Australian cousin."
  • For customers familiar with another specific profile, try: "Some people find it has a nutty, sweet quality similar to an Irish Dubliner, but with a more pronounced cheddar tang and a wonderfully crumbly texture".11

2. Tasting & Sensory Profile

Guide your customers through a sensory journey to help them appreciate the cheese's complexity.

Appearance

This is a rindless block cheese. The paste is a beautiful, uniform creamy white to pale straw color, which is characteristic of white cheddars made from the milk of grass-fed cows without annatto coloring.12 The body of the cheese is dense and firm, often showing slight fractures that hint at its delightfully crumbly nature.3

Aroma

Before tasting, encourage a customer to notice the aroma. It is clean yet pronounced, with primary notes of sweet hay and rich brown butter, and even some toasted, nutty undertones.6 The smell promises a deeply savory and complex flavor experience without being overpowering.

Flavor Profile

The taste is a journey on the palate. It begins with a confident, sharp tang that arrives upfront, delivering that classic "bite" cheddar lovers seek.6 This initial sharpness then evolves on the mid-palate into a more complex, savory flavor with distinct nutty and creamy notes.15 The experience concludes with a long and lingering savory finish, where the buttery and nutty characteristics persist long after the initial tang has mellowed.4 The overall profile is both robust and surprisingly refined.16

Texture & Mouthfeel

This is a key differentiator and a fantastic selling point. The mouthfeel is firm and crumbly, never waxy or rubbery.7 The most notable feature is its fine granular texture, which is punctuated by crunchy calcium lactate crystals.2 Be sure to explain these crystals proactively; they are not a flaw but a feature. They are often called "flavor crystals" and are a natural byproduct of the aging process, forming as good bacteria break down the lactose in the milk. Their presence is a definitive sign of an authentic, artfully-aged cheddar.2

3. The Story & Interesting Facts

Sharing the "romance" of a cheese helps build a connection and justifies its premium quality.

  • The Source is Everything: The story begins in Australia, a land of high rainfall, fertile soil, and lush green pastures. The cheese is made from the pure milk of pasture-raised cows, giving it a unique flavor that reflects this pristine environment.1
  • The Grass-Fed Advantage: This isn't just a buzzword. The grass-fed milk gives the cheese its creamy color and distinctive flavor. It also means the cheese is naturally higher in beneficial nutrients like omega-3 fats, vitamin E, and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), a detail that resonates with health-conscious customers.1
  • A Rigorous Commitment to Quality: Old Croc's quality is no accident. The cheesemakers use more starter cultures than average to develop the signature nutty, sharp flavor.17 Most impressively, the cheese undergoes a meticulous three-stage grading process. It's graded twice in Australia by a championship judge, and if it passes, it's sent to the United States for a final assessment by the company's president and another world-renowned cheese grader. Only the best of the best earns the Old Croc name, ensuring remarkable consistency.17
  • The "Outback Bold" Spirit: The brand name and marketing are designed to capture the vibrant, bold, and adventurous spirit of Australia.1 This cheese isn't just sharp; it's spirited and full of character, just like the land it comes from.12

4. Pairings & Culinary Uses

Help customers imagine how they'll enjoy the cheese at home.

Perfect Food Pairings

  • Sweet: Tangy Granny Smith apple slices are a classic contrast.3 Also suggest dried fruits like figs, dates, or tart cherries, or a drizzle of high-quality honey.18
  • Savory: The cheese stands up beautifully to robust cured meats like smoked sausage, salami, or prosciutto.9 Roasted almonds and walnuts echo its nutty notes, while tangy cornichons or pickles provide a refreshing acidic counterpoint.18
  • Carrier: Recommend hearty, dark multigrain crackers or a rustic, crusty bread that won't get lost against the cheese's bold flavor.5 For a salty-sweet combination, try it on a toasted date and nut bread.18

Beverage Pairings

  • Wine: The quintessential pairing is a dark, spicy Australian Shiraz, which complements the cheese perfectly.3 Other bold reds like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Bordeaux blend are also excellent choices.20 For white wine drinkers, an oaked Chardonnay can match the cheese's buttery notes.20
  • Beer: A robust Brown Ale is a fantastic match, as its maltiness complements the nutty flavors.3 A hoppy IPA provides a great bitter contrast to the sharp tang, while a rich Stout or Porter creates a truly decadent pairing.20
  • Other: Suggest spiced or barrel-aged hard ciders, which bring out the cheese's earthier notes.20

In the Kitchen

  • The Ultimate Melter: This is a star performer in any melted application. It makes a gourmet grilled cheese, an unforgettable burger topping, or a next-level panini.4
  • A Punch of Flavor: Encourage customers to shred it into a creamy mac and cheese, crumble it over a baked potato or salad, or grate it over tacos for a bold flavor boost.4
  • The Star of the Cheeseboard: Remind them that it's the perfect bold centerpiece for any cheese or charcuterie board, guaranteed to impress guests.

5. Cheesemonger Quick Guide

Keep these words and phrases handy to sound like the expert you are.

Evocative Words

  • Bold
  • Robust
  • Tangy
  • Nutty
  • Crumbly
  • Crystalline
  • Savory
  • Adventurous
  • Authentic
  • Full-bodied

Sample Phrases to Use with Customers

  • To introduce: "Here’s a really special cheese from Australia that's for anyone who loves a bold flavor. It's aged for over 18 months to develop this incredible character."
  • To describe flavor: "You'll notice it has a fantastic sharp tang right at the start, but then it mellows into this rich, savory, almost buttery finish. It’s incredibly complex."
  • To explain the texture: "One of the best things about this cheese is the texture. It’s firm and crumbly, and it has these tiny 'flavor crystals' that give it a light crunch. That's the sign of a perfectly aged, high-quality cheddar."
  • To suggest a use: "This would be incredible for the ultimate grilled cheese because it melts so well. But it's also my go-to for a cheeseboard when I want something that can stand up to a big red wine like a Shiraz."

Works cited

  1. About Old Croc and Our Non-GMO Philosophy – Old Croc Cheese ..., accessed September 2, 2025, https://oldcroccheese.com/our-story/
  2. What are those crunchy crystals in my cheese? - Old Croc, accessed September 2, 2025, https://oldcroccheese.com/what-are-those-crunchy-crystals-in-my-cheese/
  3. Extra Sharp Cheddar - Old Croc Cheese, accessed September 2, 2025, https://oldcroccheese.com/product/extra-sharp-cheddar/
  4. Old Croc Australian Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese 198g R ..., accessed September 2, 2025, https://www.pveuromarket.com/Old-Croc-Australian-Extra-Sharp-Cheddar-Cheese-198g-R-891613000231-15043/
  5. WHY CHEDDAR LOVERS ARE ENJOYING OLD CROC, accessed September 2, 2025, https://oldcroccheese.com/cheddar-lovers-love-old-croc/
  6. Cheddar (Old Croc Extra Sharp) - Culture Cheese Magazine, accessed September 2, 2025, https://culturecheesemag.com/cheese-library/Cheddar-Old-Croc-Extra-Sharp
  7. Customer reviews for Old Croc Sharp Cheddar Cheese Chunk, 7oz, 1 Count | Walmart.com, accessed September 2, 2025, https://www.walmart.com/reviews/product/37755033
  8. Old Croc Cheddar, White Extra Sharp - Foodland Farms, accessed September 2, 2025, https://shop.foodland.com/product/old-croc-cheddar-white-extra-sharp-891613000231
  9. Old Croc Grand Reserve Cheddar Cheese - Gourmet Dash, accessed September 2, 2025, https://www.gourmetdash.com/grand-reserve-cheddar-cheese-29959-config
  10. Croc Bites Sharp Cheddar Cheese Snacks, accessed September 2, 2025, https://oldcroccheese.com/product/croc-bites-sharp-cheddar-cheese-snacks/
  11. Do you like Old Croc cheese? If so which one? - Reddit, accessed September 2, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Cheese/comments/16nypbv/do_you_like_old_croc_cheese_if_so_which_one/
  12. Old Croc Cheese | Australia Grass Fed Cheddar Cheese, accessed September 2, 2025, https://oldcroccheese.com/
  13. Old Croc Extra Sharp Cheddar Loaf - Gourmet Foods International, accessed September 2, 2025, https://www.gfifoods.com/28104-old-croc-extra-sharp-cheddar
  14. Old Croc® Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 7 oz - Kroger, accessed September 2, 2025, https://www.kroger.com/p/old-croc-extra-sharp-cheddar-cheese/0089161300023
  15. Old Croc Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese Chunk, 7oz, Refrigerated ..., accessed September 2, 2025, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Old-Croc-Extra-Sharp-Cheddar-Cheese-Chunk-7oz-Refrigerated-Plastic-Wrapper/100541553
  16. Sharp Cheddar Spreadable Cheddar Cheese - Old Croc, accessed September 2, 2025, https://oldcroccheese.com/product/sharp-cheddar-spreadable-cheese/
  17. How Old Croc Cheese is Made | Grass Fed Cheese, accessed September 2, 2025, https://oldcroccheese.com/cheesemaking-process-cheddar/
  18. 5 Unique Foods To Pair With Cheddar - Old Croc, accessed September 2, 2025, https://oldcroccheese.com/5-unique-foods-to-pair-with-cheddar/
  19. Ultimate Cheese Pairing Guide: Wine, Meat & More - Cabot Creamery, accessed September 2, 2025, https://cabotcreamery.com/blogs/pairing-guides/ultimate-cheese-pairing-guide
  20. Pairing Sharp Cheddar Cheese: What to Drink and Serve With This Bold Favorite, accessed September 2, 2025, https://www.gardnerswisconsincheese.com/blogs/recipes/pairing-sharp-cheddar-cheese-what-to-drink-and-serve-with-this-bold-favorite