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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Please leave here your thoughts, tips, feedback, questions, ideas, news, and anything else concerning mastic tree and mastic products.
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- davidms davidms Nov 14, 2009 @ 8:32 am
- Wow, the information about the mastic tree is really interesting. I've been to several greek and med restaurants, I wonder if any has ended up in my food. It's amazing how powerful that ancient greek culture is - their words end up in our language centuries later!
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- rose rose May 9, 2009 @ 9:22 pm
- ok so i have to do a report on greece and omg your site helped a ton. i wanted info on the mastic tree and i couldnt thank u more!!!!!!!! my teacher will b rly proud of me and thanx sooooooo much 4 making this site!!!!!! you saved my life!!!!!!!!!
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- Sue Sue Oct 27, 2008 @ 7:15 am
- I recently came back from a holiday in Crete. While I was there I bought a tube of hand cream made from olives and mastic. My hands occasionally get very sore and I have tried several creams available in the UK most of which soothe them very well, BUT this one actually seems to stop it in its tracks and quickly eliminates the problem. I have looked on the web but cannot find anything containing mastic. I really want to find a similar product. I have emailed the company stated on the tube but have not had a reply yet. Anyone have any solutions to this please?
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- Katrina Katrina Sep 15, 2008 @ 8:36 am
- Mrs Leone Evrenos: I'm not sure about the quantity but you might wanna crush the crystals to a powder.
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Reply
- Katrina Katrina Sep 15, 2008 @ 8:36 am
- Mrs Leone Evrenos: I'm not sure about the quantity but you might wanna crush the crystals to a powder.
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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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The Island of Chios
by Katrina
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 Hy...
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