Rat Trap Cheddar Cheese

(54)

$15.99

Calef’s Country Store

Our most famous and best selling hand packed creamy cheddar. Sold by the lb.

Product Details

Calef’s features many varieties of “Snappy Old Cheddar” with varying degrees of sharpness. As a cheddar ages it loses moisture, becomes crumblier, begins to crystalize (tyrosine) and gets sharper in flavor.

Our Cheddar scale, least sharp to stand up and take notice:

  • Sharp – the opposite of it’s name this is our mildest offering
  • Extra Sharp – A bit sharper but still considered a mild cheese.
  • Rat Trap – Our best seller. Creamy, a bit sharp. Cut from hand packed 40LB wheels.
  • Super Sharp – Still creamy but a bit sharper after bite
  • Rugged Cheddar – As the name implies, has some bite. A good start on your aged cheddar journey.
  • 3 Year Aged – Aged at least 3 years, crystals and crumbly texture starting to develop.
  • Wicked Sharp – Crystals and crumbly texture very prevalent. A little bit goes a long way!
  • 6 Year Vintage – Our sharpest offering, heavily crystalized and very crumbly

About The Producer

Calef's Country Store

Calef’s Country Store

Established in 1869, Calef's has been "buying local" since Ulysses S. Grant was president.

In 1869, just after the Civil War, Mary Chesley Calef mortgaged her family farm and pledged her savings to open Calef’s Store in the front rooms of her modest home in Barrington NH. Five generations of the Calef family operated Calef’s Big Store until the 1990’s, including Mary’s son Senator Austin Calef. Today the traditions endure as Calef’s Country Store serves the local community as well as visitors from afar. We still pump our own molasses and honey, cheese is aged in our cooler, and our smoked Ham is mouthwatering.

Walk through our doors today and take a step back to a simpler time, when customer service wasn’t a gimmick, but the way things were done.

The wood floors creak with stories of lore, our wood stove warms passersby, the aroma of fresh baked breads and donuts entice even the healthiest of folks.

Jar after jar of penny candy tempts young and old alike.

Our Calef’s brand old fashioned jams, jellies, pickle items, bread and soup mixes offer something for everyone.

The wooden pickle barrel is still a focal point in the store. Our Ginger Snaps are renowned for their bite.

Next time you visit New Hampshire, stop by and pay us a visit, you’ll be glad you did. Store hours and directions.

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews

David Glockzin
Rating: 5/5
What I have been looking for
This is exactly what I have been looking for and it's so good I can't get enough. I have gone through several pounds so far and I will be eating so much more. Great choice and delivered straight to the house
Tue Jan 20 2026 23:15:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Eric
Rating: 5/5
Just like I remember!
When I was a child (60 years ago), an old country store in my hometown, used to keep a wheel of "Rat Trap" cheese on the counter, at room temperature. This tastes exactly as I remember! Delicious !
Mon Jan 12 2026 20:41:09 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Kris Hamilton
Rating: 5/5
Cheese from Calef’s Country Store
Hello, I remember getting cheese from Calef’s nearly 60 years ago. Had some shipped for family and myself over the holidays and it brought me right back to being in the back of the family station wagon with the window down munching on “stinky” cheese. The package didn’t show up cold but not hot. It tastes like 60yrs of wonderful memories in one bite!! Thank God for Calef’s!
Mon Jan 05 2026 16:12:51 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Debra McLachlan
Rating: 5/5
Rat Trap Cheese
I gave it to 3 family members and friends. They loved it. And they loved the name. They found the cheese delicious and liked how creamy it was.
Thu Jan 01 2026 16:51:13 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Jeff St Germain
Rating: 5/5
Perfect age
The sharpness is perfect for our tastebuds A product that is clearly made with love
Tue Dec 30 2025 22:51:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Dale Roberson
Rating: 5/5
The best cheese ever.
My father introduced me to Calef's back in the early 1950s. We have been going back ever since with our children and grandchildren. It was the cheese back in the the 1950s and it is the same today. This place should be on the National Register of Historic Places (if it isn't already).
Thu Dec 18 2025 16:38:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Sally Merrill
Rating: 5/5
Rat trap cheese
My favorite kind of cheese.
Sun Dec 14 2025 18:35:11 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Larry Ward
Rating: 5/5
Rat Trap
Absolutely the very best cheese for snacking. Never enough!
Mon Dec 01 2025 14:21:18 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
JW
Rating: 5/5
Rat Trap
Absolutely delicious and a high end product.
Sat Jan 18 2025 00:06:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Cheryl Dixon
Rating: 5/5
Rat trap cheddar cheese
Best cheese ever!
Mon Jan 06 2025 15:23:21 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)