What is masticha?

Question

What is masticha?

Answer 1

Masticha or Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the Pistacio family growing up to 4 m (13 ft) tall, which is cultivated for its aromatic resin on the Greek island of Chios.

Mastic gum is principally used either as a flavouring or for its gum properties, as in mastic chewing gum.

As a spice, it continues to be used in Greece to flavour spirits and liquors (such as Chios's native drinks of Mastichato & mastica), chewing gum and a number of cakes, pastries, spoon sweets and desserts. Mastic resin is a key ingredient in Dondurma (Turkish ice cream), and Turkish puddings granting those confections its unusual texture and bright whiteness. In Lebanon and Egypt, the spice is used to flavour many sauces, ranging from soups to meats to desserts, while in Morocco smoke from the resin is used to flavour water. Recently, a Mastic flavoured fizzy drink has also been launched.

As well as its culinary uses, Mastic continues to be used for its gum and medicinal properties. The resin is used as a primary ingredient in the production of cosmetics such as toothpaste, lotions for the hair and skin, and perfumes.

Answer 2

The product comes from the mastic trees in transparent/opaque crystalline solid yellowish or originally slightly orange teardrop-shaped grains.

Its density is 1.06, its melting point is between 60C and 110C, and its acidity is between 50 and 70 grades. It has some slight taste to begin with but fades later, and is very sweet smelling.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

In Greek cooking masticha in the ground powdered form is used mainly in the preparation of puddings, cakes and breads. Whole masticha can also be used as chewing gum.