The mastic of Chios is one of the finest products of Greece that can be found nowhere else than Chios. The mastic is an aromatic natural resin produced from the mastic tree Pistacia Lentiscus Var Chia. When the mastic tears fall on the ground in drops from superficial scratches induced from cultivations on the trees’ trunk and branches with sharp tools. As it drips, this resin appears as a sticky and translucent liquid, which is solidified into irregular shapes influenced by the area’s weather conditions in summertime, that is intense drought and sunlight, twenty days later. Following the solidification of the mastic, the tears have a crystal form whose bitter taste transforms into a distinctive and unique aroma. That solid product is then harvested and washed from the mastic cultivators, giving us finally the natural Chios mastiha. Initially, the color of mastic is ivory; however, this shade changes into a yellow color after twelve to eighteen months due to oxidation. It is made of hundreds of components, among which only eighty are contained in identifiable quantities. Such multitude, probably justifies the multiple uses of the mastic of Chios in the fields of food industry, health and cosmetic care around the entire world. Since 1997, the mastiha of Chios has been characterized as a Product of Protected Designation of Origin from the European Union. Mastic was first mentioned from Herodotus who refers to its usage in embalming while women used to use as a breath freshener in the Roman times. Even Christopher Columbus was astonished from the properties of mastic when he visited the island. According to scientific research, the resin has anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Since antiquity, mastic was known for its health benefits, as it was the first natural chewing gum. Mastic also contributes to a healthy gastrointestinal system and has beneficial qualities for the skin care and the oral hygiene.

The Pistacia Lentiscus Var Chia of the Anacardiaceae family is an evergreen scrub that grows on the south side of Chios. The scrub has a height from two to three meters that develops and becomes fully grown after 40 to 50 years. Its life span is more than one hundred years; however, the tree cannot product mastic tears earlier than the fifth or sixth year of its life while it reached the maximum yield following the fifteenth year. The average annual yield by tree is 150 to 180 grams of mastic. Male trees are mostly cultivated, as they seem to be more productive. The lentisk trees are rather resilient plants whose roots are spread on the surface of the soil and they can survive on absolute drought whilst they can be really sensitive to cold and frost. New cultivations are produced from old trees’ branches. Although lentisks are produced all over the island, mastic is only produced on the southern part of the island, the renowned region of Mastihohoria, where the climate is especially dry and warm. The cultivation of production of mastic, an ancient practice unaltered over the centuries, impacts the cultural landscape and the social structure of the twenty four mastic villages of Chios, a product which is exclusively extracted only in the land of the southern side of Chios. The mastic production is a family affair requiring work and attention throughout the entire year. In December, mastic growers start to fertilize the lentisks in order to complement the natural fertilization ensured from the dead leaves of the tree itself. In the middle of January through February, the growers prune lower branches to give a specific shape to the tree and to create passages for the circulation of air and light as well as for the drying of resin. Before the tree carving process and the gathering of mastic, the ground around the trunk needs to be free from other plants. From the middle of June to the beginning of July, cleaning and soil leveling take place so that any mastic drops that may fall on the ground can be easily gathered. The cleaning process is done in a circular way around the trunk, following the sweeping of the scraped soil with white soil powder, which is pressed on the ground to create a smooth surface. The kentima, aka the carving of scars on the bark of the lentisk, is the most important stage of mastic production. The period of kentima begins in July throughout August and the end of September. The first gathering takes place after the 15^th day of August, and mastic starts solidifying within fifteen to twenty days. Once gathered, the mastic is being stored and cleaned until the product finally delivered to the cooperative. Then, Chios Mastiha Growers Association, which assembles the total production within a six-month period of time, processes the product, packages it and manages the international trade of different types of mastic including liquor, chewing gum, mastic powder and mastic oil water.

Ever since antiquity, the mastic of Chios has been recognized for its medicinal and pharmaceutical properties. It is recorded as the first natural chewing gum of the ancient world that was used to clean the teeth while it was also used as a cosmetic to clean the body and the face. Moreover, mastic is an active ingredient in a number of pharmaceutical prescriptions. According to scientific research, the mastic of Chios has a beneficial effect in diseases of the digestive system, its contribution to oral hygiene, its significant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action and its action as a natural antioxidant and its contribution to would healing and skin regeneration. Undoubtedly, the uniqueness of the mastic of Chios is attributed to its excellent healing properties. Mastic has extensive uses representing a source of inspiration in the food and beverages, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in the production of cosmetics and perfumes.

The Mastiha Shop is the official shop of the Chios Mastiha Growers Association that was established in 2002 in order to develop, promote and sale the products of mastic around the world. The mastihashop concept was designed to portray the unique characteristics of mastiha along with its diverse properties and uses crowned from mastiha’s long history. The vision of mastiha shops are to become the embassies of Chios Mastiha wordwide. The company has managed to create a food production until on the island where more than 100 different products are produced at sixteen (16) stores in Greece and abroad including natural mastiha, mastiha chewing gum, cosmetic products, parapharmaceutical goods, Greek food products and mastiha liquor. The mastiha shops arfe meeting points of different cultures with hospitable shelves for value added products of the Eastern Mediterranean. However, mastiha constitutes the vehicle to represent the wider East Mediterranean region, as it is already indicated from the existing selling line of mastihashop; the Finest Mediterranean Products!

Mastic Tears produces one of the finest Greek packaging products of the traditional mastic liquor. The design of the packaging is inspired from the black and white geometric floral motifs of the facades of the buildings in Pyrgi village. The creative team of Mastic Tears researched and created a creative brand equivalent with the cultural identity of Chios. Make sure you taste the exclusive mastic liquor with lemon, Mysterious Greece’s favorite product of Mastic Tears!