What Is Mastic?
Mastic (Chios mastic, Pistacia lentiscus var. chia) is a natural product made by sun-drying droplets of resin that seep from cuts in the trunk of a tree native to the Greek island of Chios.
It has a sweet, mildly pine-like, resinous aroma. It is used both as a chewing gum and ground to flavor desserts and drinks.
Nutritional Value of Mastic
Because mastic is a natural resin and flavoring rather than a standard food in the usual food categories, a detailed nutritional table based on a reliable public source could not be verified for this encyclopedia entry; this section has therefore been intentionally left blank. The amount used in a recipe (1–2 tears or a few pieces) is so small that its nutritional contribution is practically negligible; it is used entirely for flavor and texture (it gives ice cream its characteristic elastic, chewy consistency).
What Are the Benefits of Mastic?
For centuries, mastic has been used in the Mediterranean tradition both as a chewing gum and to support digestion. Research on the plant compounds it contains is ongoing, but the findings have not yet led to definitive health recommendations.
This is general information; mastic is a food/flavoring and is not a substitute for medical treatment.
How to Choose Mastic
High-quality mastic tears should be transparent and yellowish, brittle but not sticky; avoid cloudy, very dark, or damp mastic.
- The tears should look clear and glassy; cloudiness may indicate lower quality.
- They should feel slightly sticky but not runny when held.
- It is recommended to buy from reliable sources that state the origin (Chios Island).
How to Store Mastic
Mastic can be stored for a long time without spoiling in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place. Because it may soften and stick together in warm conditions, it is best kept in a cool cupboard.
Using Mastic in the Kitchen
Mastic is used in ice cream (especially Turkish hand-stretched ice cream), pudding, rice pudding, some buns and cookies, and mastic coffee. It is usually ground into a powder after being mixed with a small amount of sugar or starch.
How to Use Mastic in Turkish Ice Cream
Ground mastic added to the ice cream mixture creates its characteristic elastic, stretchy texture. That is why Turkish hand-stretched ice cream is made by beating the mixture for a long time with a special mallet.
Which Recipes Use Mastic?
The best-known uses include Turkish hand-stretched ice cream, mastic pudding, mastic rice pudding, mastic buns, and mastic coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mastic good for?
Mastic has traditionally been chewed to support digestive comfort and freshen breath; it is a food/flavoring and is not claimed to cure any disease.
How do you grind mastic into a powder?
To keep it from sticking, pound the mastic tears in a mortar with a small amount of powdered sugar or starch until they become a fine powder.
Where does mastic come from?
Mastic is made by sun-drying resin that seeps from cuts in the trunk of a tree native to the Greek island of Chios; it is a product with a geographical indication.
Is natural mastic the same as chewing gum?
Natural mastic can be considered the ancestor of modern synthetic chewing gum. It can still be chewed directly and is also used as a flavoring in cooking.
Why does mastic give ice cream an elastic texture?
Resin compounds in mastic bind the ice cream mixture together as it is beaten, reducing ice crystal formation and creating its characteristic stretchy, chewy texture.