Gum Mastic, Pistacia lentiscus
Gum Mastic, Pistacia lentiscus, is a evergreen shrub of the Pistacio family.
It is cultivated for its aromatic resin from the mastic trees grown in the south of the Greek island of Chios in the Aegean Sea.
It is also known by the name "Chios Tears".
The ivory colored resin is harvested as a spice .
Originally a liquid, it is sun dried into drops of hard, brittle, translucent resin.
When chewed, the resin softens and becomes a bright white and opaque gum.
The flavor can be described as a strong slightly smoky, resiny aroma and can be an acquired taste.
Mastic was popular in Roman times and in Medieval times it was highly prized.
Mastic gum is principally used either as a flavoring or for its gum properties, as in mastic chewing gum, and has medicinal qualities.
3 gram screw top vial.
See picture for size .
Gum Mastic, Pistacia lentiscus listed in:
, Incenses, Resins, Magical, Herbs and Spices, Cooking and Baking