|
  |
|
|
Healthy Gum Mastic 'Masticha' - Unique to Chios
Gum mastic is an aromatic resin, prized since ancient times for its medicinal benefits. It comes from a relative of the pistachio tree - Pistachia lentiscus var. chia. Although it grows well in many areas, southern Chios is the only place in the world where the shrubby tree sheds ‘tears’ of gum mastic. The tree grows to about 3m and will start to produce mastic from about 5 years old. ‘Tears’, see picture, are formed by making incisions in the trunk and main branches - in Greek this is called kentima or 'embroidery'. The method of production and harvesting is still very traditional; the villagers of the region collect and clean by hand each tear of resin in their homes. The local co-operative will organise transfer to the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association for final processing and packaging as tears or for other products. Mastic has a unique taste, which may at first seem rather unpleasant. However, since the 5th century BC there is evidence that mastic was used as a medicine and chewed to whiten teeth. Roman women were said to use mastic ‘toothpicks’ and when Chios was inhabited by the Ottoman Turks mastic gum spread to the East and became very popular in the harems. These days it is possible to buy a variety of foodstuffs flavoured with masticha, not all of which should be recommended to first timers, but mastic chewing gum and candy are a safe start! A vast range of cosmetics and perfumes using mastic products is available. Of more interest, is that scientists through the ages have discovered that mastic is not only good for dental health but also helps ulcers, diabetes, reduces blood pressure and cholesterol, increases immune reactions and may also be effective against cancer. Those who extol the virtues of alcohol (in small doses, of course) may or may not be pleased with masticha ouzo and the new masticha liqueur! For more information on the production process and the history of Mastic, please check the links below.
|
Contributor's Note
This article is collated from many local sources. We have mastic trees in our garden. However, Managros is in North Chios and they do not produce resin.
|
|
Mastic Products, History and Uses
| Mastiha Shop - Tons of Information
| Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association - in Greek
  
Mastic Tree with white clay to 'catch' tears
The 'tears' forming after the 'embroidery'
Dried tears ready for final processing/packaging
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
No reactions yet.
Please login or sign up to rate this intel.
Please login or sign up to add a comment.
The copyright for this content entitled "Healthy Gum Mastic 'Masticha' - Unique to Chios" has been specified by the contributor as:
All Rights Reserved
This content may not be copied, distributed or adapted by anyone under any circumstances.
|
 |
May, 2012
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February, March, April, May
|
|
Not a member yet?
Qondio is a powerful network for making it online. If you have a website to
promote, we can help.
Sign up and get in on the action.
|
|
Welcome to Qondio! Discover the awesome power this network can deliver by going to our About page. Or you could skip straight to the Sign Up form.
|
|
