Mastic (plant resin)
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Mastic (Greek: Μαστίχα) is a resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus).[1] It is also known as tears of Chios,[2] being traditionally produced on the island Chios, and, like other natural resins, is produced in "tears" or droplets.
Mastic is excreted by the resin glands of certain trees[3] and dries into pieces of brittle, translucent resin. When chewed, the resin softens and becomes a bright white and opaque gum. The flavor is bitter at first, but after some chewing, it releases a refreshing flavor similar to pine and cedar.
History
Mastic has been harvested for at least 2,500 years since
During the
Although the liqueur is much younger, it is still tied up with Greek history. Digestive liqueurs, similar to
The production of mastic was threatened by the
Cultivation
Producing the mastic resin is a whole-year process for the local growers. The harvest is known as kentos and takes place from the beginning of July to the beginning of October. First, the area around the trees is cleared and sprinkled with inert calcium carbonate. Then, every 4–5 days, 5–10 incisions are made in the bark of each tree to release the resin. As these clear drops hang from the tree, and sparkle in the sunlight, they are said to resemble crystalline teardrops; for this reason, the mastic resin is known as the "tears of Chios". It takes about 15–20 days for the first resin crystals to harden and fall to the ground. The farmers then collect the pieces of dry mastic and wash them in natural spring water, and spend most of the winter cleaning and separating the tears from the sand. This cleaning process is performed by hand and is regulated by the legislative framework of the Mastic Growers' Association. In addition to mastic, mastic oil is also produced.
Mastichochoria
As of 2018[update] there were twenty-four mastichochoria, or mastic villages, on the island of Chios dedicated to the cultivation and production of mastic.[
The island's mastic production is controlled by a co-operative. Founded in 1938, the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association (Greek: Ένωση Μαστιχοπαραγωγών Χίου), abbreviated CGMGA, is a secondary cooperative organisation and acts as the collective representative organ of twenty primary cooperatives founded in the twenty-four mastic villages.[5] it has the exclusive management of natural Chios Mastiha in Greece and abroad.[6] The Chios Mastic Museum offers a permanent exhibition about mastic production on the island, explaining its history and cultivation techniques as well as demonstrating its different uses today.[7]
Turkey
Traditionally there has also been limited production of mastic on the
Uses
Culinary
In the
In the Maghreb, mastic is used mainly in cakes, sweets, and pastries and as a stabilizer in meringue and nougat. In Morocco, mastic is used in the preparation of smoked foods.[citation needed]
One of the earliest uses of mastic was as
In religion
Some scholars identify the bakha mentioned in the Bible with the mastic plant.[citation needed] Bakha appears to be derived from Hebrew: בכא, weeping, and is thought to refer to the "tears" of resin secreted by the mastic plant.
Ancient
Mastic is an essential ingredient of
Other uses
Mastic is used in some varnishes. Mastic varnish was used to protect and preserve photographic negatives.[12] Mastic is also used in perfumes, cosmetics, soap, body oils, and body lotion. In ancient Egypt, mastic was used in embalming. In its hardened form, mastic can be used, like frankincense or Boswellia resin, to produce incense.
See also
- Gum arabic
- Mastika (liqueur with mastic aroma)
- Megilp (art medium)
References
- PMID 9874617.
- ^ Silver, Margarita (15 November 2019). "Chios, Greece: Visit the Aegean island renowned for mastic sap". Travel. National Geographic. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ISSN 0031-9422.
- ^ "Mastic". TheEpicentre.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
- ISBN 978-960-89048-9-7.
- ^ "Mastiha Growers Association". www.gummastic.gr. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
- ^ "The Chios Mastiha Museum". Archived from the original on 2016-06-18. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
- ^ Gönderen Burçin ÇOKUYSAL (1923-03-20). "ECOLOGIC EVALUATION OF Pistacia lentiscus (MASTIC) IN ÇEŞME PENINSULA". Burcincokuysal.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
- ^ TEMA Foundation. "Sakız Ağaçlarına Sevgi Aşılıyoruz Projesi'nde yeni bir dönem başlıyor". Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
- ^ co., Benetos John – Galatoulas George (21 March 2018). "Chios Mastic gum information". www.mastic.gr.
- ^ Tosefta, tractate Shabbat. Chapter 13, Mishna 7.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ William Henry Burbank (1888). The Photographic Negative. Scovill Manufacturing Company. p. 128.
mastic.
External links
- Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911. .
- "Can This Ancient Greek Medicine Cure Humanity?"—Opinion piece in The New York Times