About Mastic Tree
Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 3-4 m tall, mainly cultivated on the Greek island of Chios, but it is also native throughout the Mediterranean region. The word mastic derives either from a Phoenician word or from the Greek verb mastichein ("to gnash the teeth", origin of the English word masticate) or massein ("to chew").
A hard, brittle, transparent resin, also known as mastic, is obtained from the tree. The resin is collected by bleeding from small cuts made in the bark. When chewed, the resin becomes bright white and opaque.
Mastic resin is a relatively expensive kind of spice, used in liquors (mastica alcoholic drink) and chewing gum pastiles. It is also a key ingredient in dondurma, a Turkish ice cream, and Turkish puddings granting that confection its unusual texture and bright whiteness. It was the Sultan's privilege to chew mastic, and it was considered to have healing properties. Mastic is also used for pastry making, drinks, baked goods, chewing gum, cosmetics such as toothpaste, and lotions for the hair and skin and perfumes. It is also used in preparation of Turkish Delight.
It is used in cooking of many dishes in Egypt, ranging from soup to meats to dessert. It is also chewed as a gum to sooth the stomach.
The best period for harvesting is July and August. After the mastic is collected it is spread out to dry while it is washed manually.
(To read more about Mastic Tree please visit original wikipedia page)
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Mastic Best
Mar 26, 2012 @ 2:50 pm | delete
- Mastic Best - Mastiha Best Gum Mastic, JAR, approx. 17g
MasticBest price is $ 5.99
http://masticbest.wordpress.com
www.mastihabest.com we sell direct from Greece worldwide.
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Jun 11, 2011 @ 3:07 pm | delete
- demonstration I could very well have dispensed with) cast her arms esidrix online. Lucy Snowe! Lucy Snowe! she cried in a somewhat sobbing voice, half buy mellaril online.
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achilles644@yahoo.com
Apr 27, 2011 @ 3:34 am | delete
- this was a beautiful lens. wonderfully described the use of the mastic tree from chios. - greek letter shirts
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Apr 19, 2011 @ 10:27 pm | delete
- there are really many wonders in the world. Please visit my website How to whiten teeth
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MELPOMENI TERZOPOULOU
Oct 9, 2010 @ 1:20 pm | delete
- The best product in the world made from mastic.i am using mastic powder for health reasones.Visiting island of xios in 2002 learn alot about mastic tree.
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History of Mastic Tree
Mastic tree has played a central role in the history of Chios island. In ancient times through all eras Chios has always been the bone of contention for conquerors who wanted to have in their possession the ownership of mastic (mastiha in Greek).The oldest references to mastic have been traced back to Herodotus in the 5th Century B.C. The people of Ancient Greece chewed mastic to whiten their teeth which probably makes it the first chewing gum ever! During the Roman period, toothpicks were made from the mastic tree and the use of mastic spread to the harems of the East. Tradition says that God blessed the mastic tree which began to "cry" in 250 A.D., when St. Isidoro cried out in pain during his martyrdom. That's probably the reason why it is also known by the name "Chios Tears".
During the Byzantine period, Mastiha held one of the highest places on the list of exported luxury goods of Constantinople (today's Istanbul), bringing an income of 120.000 gold coins to the island's Imperial Commander.
In the period of the Ottoman Empire, the island's mastic villages were self ruled, enjoying a time of prosperity, while the finest quality of mastiha was obligatorily sent to the Sultan in Constantinople for the 300 ladies of his Harem!
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Mastic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Island of Chios
by Katrina
Hello everybody! My name is Katerina and I'm Greek currently living in the US. I grew up in a tiny little island in Greece: the beautiful island of Hydra!... more »
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