<strong>Mysterious substance:</strong> Mastiha, a natural resin obtained through the cultivation of certain lentisc trees, can only be found in one place in the world.
Mysterious substance: Mastiha, a natural resin obtained through the cultivation of certain lentisc trees, can only be found in one place in the world.
John Malathronas
<strong>Unique place:</strong> The variety of lentisc tree that produces the aromatic "mastiha" resin (Pistacia Lentiscus) grows around 24 villages in southern Chios, collectively known as the mastiha villages or "Mastihohoria".
Unique place: The variety of lentisc tree that produces the aromatic "mastiha" resin (Pistacia Lentiscus) grows around 24 villages in southern Chios, collectively known as the mastiha villages or "Mastihohoria".
John Malathronas
<strong>Cultivation process: </strong>Mastiha production -- clockwise from top left -- starts with weeding an area below the tree and sweeping it clean, then a "table" is created with limestone for the resin to fall onto, finally, surface incisions are made once the substance has congealed.
Cultivation process: Mastiha production -- clockwise from top left -- starts with weeding an area below the tree and sweeping it clean, then a "table" is created with limestone for the resin to fall onto, finally, surface incisions are made once the substance has congealed.
John Malathronas
<strong>Expensive technique: </strong>Pyrgi has been one of the wealthiest villages in the Mediterranean over the ages, partly thanks to its "Mastihohoria" status.
Expensive technique: Pyrgi has been one of the wealthiest villages in the Mediterranean over the ages, partly thanks to its "Mastihohoria" status.
John Malathronas
<strong>Painted village:</strong> The house façades in Pyrgi, one of the mastiha villages, are decorated using a technique called sgraffito.
Painted village: The house façades in Pyrgi, one of the mastiha villages, are decorated using a technique called sgraffito.
John Malathronas
<strong>Mastic-producing tradition: </strong>The history of mastiha is explored in a new museum located on a ridge outside Pyrgi.
Mastic-producing tradition: The history of mastiha is explored in a new museum located on a ridge outside Pyrgi.
John Malathronas
<strong>Versatile product:</strong> Mastiha liqueur is one of the many products made from the resin.
Versatile product: Mastiha liqueur is one of the many products made from the resin.
John Malathronas
<strong>Sweet treat:</strong> The "submarine," a soft mastiha fondant served around a spoon in ice cold water, is popular with young children.
Sweet treat: The "submarine," a soft mastiha fondant served around a spoon in ice cold water, is popular with young children.
John Malathronas
<strong>'Magical' element:</strong> According to local legend, lentisc trees saw the suffering of St. Isidore when he was dragged by horses on the rough terrain of Chios and cried tears of mastiha.
'Magical' element: According to local legend, lentisc trees saw the suffering of St. Isidore when he was dragged by horses on the rough terrain of Chios and cried tears of mastiha.
John Malathronas
<strong>Cocktail ingredient: </strong>Award-winning mixologist Iakovos Konstantas has created a cocktail named Black Pebbles that's made from mastiha liqueur.
Cocktail ingredient: Award-winning mixologist Iakovos Konstantas has created a cocktail named Black Pebbles that's made from mastiha liqueur.
John Malathronas
<strong>Healing properties: </strong>The product is recognized as a traditional herbal medicine by the European Medicines Agency.
Healing properties: The product is recognized as a traditional herbal medicine by the European Medicines Agency.
John Malathronas
<strong>Growing trade:</strong> The official masitha shop<a href="http://www.mastihashop.com/en/" target="_blank" target="_blank"> </a>in Chios Town sells hundreds of products made from the resin.
Growing trade: The official masitha shop in Chios Town sells hundreds of products made from the resin.
John Malathronas
<strong>Renewed interest:</strong> "We export 90% of our annual production to 45 countries," says Ilias Smyrnioudis, research manager for the Mastiha Owners Association.
Renewed interest: "We export 90% of our annual production to 45 countries," says Ilias Smyrnioudis, research manager for the Mastiha Owners Association.
John Malathronas