Mastic is a 100% natural product. That means that NOT all the pieces of mastic (or tears as they are called) are the same. Some pieces are bigger, some are smaller, some are harder and some are softer. · Mastic -due to temperature- is softer in summer and harder in winter. · Usually larger pieces are softer than the smaller ones which dry out and harden faster. · Generally, medium or large pieces are better for chewing and small pieces are better for grounding them into powder. A more yellow color means older and harder mastic, a more whitish color means fresher and softer mastic. Generally speaking you should avoid buying yellow mastic, because this means that the mastic is very old and has lost part of its properties. We sell Chios Mastic that is fresh and handpicked in 2018. Chios island is home to mastiha also known as mastic. But why is mastiha so special? Mastiha is basically a resin from the mastiha trees and appears in drops. While the mastiha trees may grow in other areas in the Mediterranean and produce resin, only trees in Chios produce the mastiha “tears” that have the characteristic aroma, taste and health benefits. Mastiha from Chios also is a P.D.O. (Protected Designation of Origin) product, which means that its name (and reputation) is protected and only mastiha from Chios can carry this name. Mastic collection starts usually mid August, with the work starting again very early in the morning. The larger pieces are collected (along with dust, tree leaves and small stones) from the ground. They are spread in large wooden pans and taken in to the growers house to be stored in a dry and cool place. The cleaning of mastic is a laborious task which starts November. Usually the family participates and the cleaning process lasts throughout the winter period. Mastic is washed and then the larger pieces are manually cleaned one by one with a small pointed knife.
