Mastic
Mastic (Greek: Μαστίχα Mastika) is a resin that comes from the mastic tree, Pistacia lentiscus.[1] The tree grows in the Mediterranean region. In pharmacies and nature shops, it is called "Arabic gum" (not to be confused with gum arabic).
A drop of mastic tree
Mastic resin
The resin is harvested in various places, especially the Greek island of Chios. It is a liquid when the tree first produces it. Then it dries in the sun into drops of hard resin. When chewed, the resin softens and becomes a white, opaque gum. The flavour is bitter at first. After some chewing, it has a refreshing, slightly pine or cedar-like flavour.
Mastic is used in food, medicine, and industry.
References
Other websites
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mastic (plant resin).
- Mastic on chios.gr Archived 2013-01-16 at the Wayback Machine
- Mastic article from masticulture.com Archived 2013-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
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