Casa Forcello Crab Apple Mostarda

140 gram jar - Italy

The Crab Apple Mostarda is produced by candying crab apples and adding drops of concentrated mustard essence, made in small batches using fruit from local growers. The texture is crunchy and crisp, much like fresh fruit.

Mostardas originated in the 17th century in Italy, when farming families prepared a special dressing of flour, mustard, vinegar, candied fruit, and wine must for their holiday celebrations — and it's actually the wine must (mosto in Italian) that gave the condiment its name. Modern mostarda is made from fruit, sugar, and mustard oil.

Casa Forcello was founded by Paola Calciolari, who began her career as a pharmacist but whose true passion was food. She took a gamble, leaving her secure job to produce traditional condiments from Mantova, often using her grandmother's recipes. She makes her exceptional mostardas by sourcing locally harvested fruit, slicing and candying them in their juices, then adding drops of a very concentrated, spicy mustard extract.

Think of it as a sophisticated alternative to chutney or jam on a cheese board — the sweet-spicy combination cuts through rich, fatty foods wonderfully.