Chios Mastic, the island’s natural treasure

South Chios is home to a truly unique place. Its rocky soil, stony outcroppings, and low-lying hills covered in thyme, have for hundreds of years been the place where the one-of-a-kind mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia) grows. The trunk of this tree produces translucent “tears” of Chios Mastic, a natural resin with a fragrance and history truly like no other.

The centre of production for this tree are the Mastichochoria, 24 traditional villages in the island’s south. The unique microclimate, soil, and experience of the locals give rise to ideal conditions for a product that only Chios can produce. For centuries, the inhabitants of these villages, such as Pyrgi, Mesta, Olympoi and Armolia, have cultivated mastic trees based on time-honoured techniques passed down from generation to generation. These settlements, with their stone-built houses, winding alleyways and imposing towers, take visitors back to Byzantine and Ottoman times, when mastic was so valuable that it required protection.

Its production continues to be a ritual, even today. In the summer, mastic tree tenders carefully score the tree trunks, letting the tears trickle onto the whitened ground, where they solidify in the sun. After solidifying, these valuable tears are collected and cleaned, in a process that requires patience, skill and respect for nature.

Chios Mastic is more than a natural resin; it’s a symbol of identity and cultural continuity. From antiquity to the present day, it has been used in the kitchen, for medicinal purposes, and in aromatics, while its antioxidant, antimicrobial and restorative qualities have all been confirmed by scientific research. In 1997, it was recognised as a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) product, while in 2014, its traditional method of cultivation was included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Chios Mastic continues to be developed in the modern day, bringing together tradition and innovation. Today, it is used in a myriad recipes both sweet and savoury, ice creams, liqueurs, the traditional spoon sweet (Submarine), even water, cosmetics, and natural supplements aiding health and especially digestion. For generations, mastic has served as a vibrant symbol of Chios and its tenacious, industrious inhabitants. Truly a gift of nature, it continues to connect the past with the present, its one-of-a-kind aroma famous the world over.

Karolina Doriti, Cook, writer & author specialising in Greek cuisine.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s personal opinions and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.