Смола мастикового дерева

Origin

Mastic is a resin obtained as a trunk exudate of the mastic tree Pistacia lentiscus L. var. chia (Anacardiaceae). The tree is native to the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, and southern Chios, a Greek island in the Aegean, is where it is cultivated extensively. Although the tree is native to all of the Mediterranean region, it releases its resin only in selected places, most notably around Çeşme, Turkey, and in southern Chios, the only place in the world where it is cultivated regularly.

The resin

Mastic is excreted by the resin glands of the evergreen shrub and dries into pieces of brittle, translucent resin. Like other natural resins, it is produced as droplets, or tears, and it is also known as the tears of Chios. When chewed, the resin softens and becomes bright white and opaque. Chewed mastic tastes bitter at first, then, after some chewing, releases a refreshing flavor similar to pine and cedar. The word mastic comes indirectly from the Ancient Greek mastíchē, which may be related to an Ancient Greek word meaning to chew.

Chemistry

The essential oils of mastic gum are mainly characterized by α-pinene, myrcene and β-pinene, with minor constituents such as limonene, linalool, verbenone, perillene, pinocarvone and trans-pinocarveol. In a study of oils from Izmir, Turkey, the oils of two wild trees were dominated by α-pinene (56.2% and 52%) and myrcene (20 and 19%). The oil of a cultivated tree in the same study was rich in α-pinene (71%), with lower amounts of β-pinene (6%) and myrcene (3%). Monoterpenes made up 77% to 85% of the oils studied.

Production and protection

Chios mastic, mastic oil and traditional chewing gum have held European Protected Designation of Origin status since 1997. Production on the island is controlled by a co-operative, the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association, founded in 1938. The association acts as the collective representative of twenty primary cooperatives founded in the twenty-four mastic villages. Production in 2026 is estimated at between 200 and 220 metric tons. Approximately 80% of the island's annual production is exported to more than 60 countries. Approximately 45% of the association's total sales involve pharmaceutical companies using mastic as an ingredient in medicinal preparations and dietary supplements.

Other uses

Mastic resin is a key ingredient in Greek festival breads, for example the sweet bread tsoureki and the traditional New Year's vasilopita. Mastic is also essential to myron, the holy oil used for chrismation by the Orthodox Churches. Mastic gum is used in the production of high-grade varnish.

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Related: Amberwood · Andiroba · Bakhoor · Balsamic Notes · Benzoin Resinoid · Benzyl Benzoate · Benzyl Salicylate · Birch Tar