Moscarola: what it is, how it works, and why to use it for storing cured meats and cheeses

The history of the moscarola today almost takes on the contours of a fairy tale. Yes, because we have to go back in time to understand the use of this product and why it is still useful in certain cases today, as we will see. The origins and meaning of this device are to be found in our past, when the main enemies of food were flies, insects, and animals in general. At that time, refrigerators did not yet exist, but there was a need to preserve cured meats, cheeses, and much more.

What is a moscarola: origin and meaning

It goes by many names: moscarola or moscaiola, and in ancient times it was a wooden frame with gauze walls, or otherwise made with a very fine metal mesh, where our ancestors would place food to protect it from insects. At the time, it was exposed to the north, or in any case in a cool place, precisely to prevent food spoilage. Clearly, the food was not preserved for months, but at least for a few days, depending on the product.

It must be said that this need was extremely important: many, like farmers, prepared various foods at home, including cheeses. And in fact, the moscarola for cheeses is part of our tradition. Living with certain difficulties seems almost strange to us today: we have the refrigerator at our disposal, where we store groceries once bought, or what we have made with our own hands, because there are still those who make cheese at home today.

Just leave food out for more than a few hours to immediately notice the arrival of insects. The moscarola was therefore used to preserve meat, cheeses, milk, fruit, or bread: in this way, food spoilage due to insects was avoided.

What the moscarola is used for today

Of course, at this point we might ask ourselves: what is the moscarola used for today? The answer is simple: for the natural preservation of cheeses and cured meats. This device with metal walls is still useful. For those who are still tied to tradition, and perhaps wish to consider a practical and sustainable alternative to the refrigerator, the moscarola for cured meats, as well as the moscarola for cheeses, are perfect for preserving food products.

Not only do they serve to protect against insects, but they also help maintain controlled humidity. In fact, we are still talking about a device that provides an aerated environment: flies or other insects cannot reach the food inside, and at the same time, preservation is maintained at the right temperature.

The ingenuity of our ancestors still helps us today: it is true that we can always open the refrigerator and store, for example, homemade cheeses, but at the same time, in this era when we often talk about energy efficiency and environmental pollution, the moscarola remains a 100% sustainable alternative.

Where to position the moscarola for correct use

At this point, it is also important to begin to understand where to position the moscarola to use it correctly. If we usually make cheeses and cured meats at home, or if we have a small agriturismo or a family-run business, we must consider certain aspects. First of all, we must place it in the coolest place, which must also be airy: possibly a place where the temperature is stable and not exceeding 20 °C, especially if we intend to store cured meats and cheeses.

Usually, this device is placed in a north-facing niche, as was done in ancient times. In those days, a niche was even dug into the north-facing wall: even in summer, it remained cooler than areas exposed to the sun.

We also find the cellar, which is usually cool: here the temperature remains stable, so it is a controlled environment. Alternatively, we can still opt for a room in the house, provided that the temperature does not exceed certain standards. If we are interested in this equipment, we can either buy it or make a DIY moscarola. To build a moscarola, we can use a wooden or metal structure: the important thing is that there is a fine mesh net that must surround the shelves where we will later put cheeses and cured meats.

Alternatively, we have the possibility of creating the structure using a PVC net: we need several elements for the frame, the net, the shelves, and the doors. However, if we are not big DIY enthusiasts or do not have the necessary manual skills to make one, the good news is that we can buy it.

Buy a ready-to-use wooden moscarola on Vivi in Campagna

Being able to preserve cheese after making it at home is a fundamental requirement to avoid losing the original aroma and flavor of the product. But we can provide a simple solution, which is the wooden moscarola available on Vivi in Campagna. Discover the wooden moscarola for cured meats and cheeses 40x40x65 cm: it is the ideal device for the natural preservation of cheeses and cured meats.

Its small size allows it to be easily placed in cool environments such as the cellar, without taking up too much space. The structure is made of solid wood and has a fine metal mesh on all four sides. This solution prevents contact with insects and at the same time ensures adequate ventilation. The moscarola is also equipped with a middle shelf and hooks for hanging cured meats, elements that make it practical and functional for various needs. This way, you can preserve your food without fearing insects, as passed down by tradition.