Mastic Gum of Chios

Apart from Great writers, maritime history, philosophers and a cultural heritage any island would be proud of. Chios also has another claim to fame, having always been one of the largest producers of 'mastic gum'.

In fact, the traditional villages on the island are known as 'Mastichochoria' which is a word derived from their production of Mastic.

The Mastic or Mastiha tree only grows in the South of Chios, islanders have tried to grow it in the North and it has been taken to other islands to be grown but to no avail. This tree is used for its sap, it makes sweets, chewing gum and myro (used in the Greek Orthodox Churches.)

Of the many products that Chios exports, olives, almonds, oranges, lemons and wine, the mastic is the most widely known abroad. This gum or resin with the exquisite aroma is exuded from the bark of the mastic tree.

The island exports 150 tonnes of mastic all over the world each year. The resin from the mastic tree is a colourless thick goo, but it carries the most wonderful scent throughout the island.

For centuries mastic gum has been used by traditional healers to cure stomach upsets, duodenal ulcers, heartburn and mouth ulcers.

Columbus wrote of its antibacterial value and its use against cholera in the late 1400s and it is believed that it was used by the Greek physician, Hippocrates to treat ulcers.

Read more about the Mystery of Christopher Columbus and Chios