Mastic is a spice with a long history. The evergreen tree Pistacia Lentiscus has been harvested for its resin since ancient times and philosophers and physicians of old such as Hippocrates and Herodotos refer to its use as far back as 5th century BC. It was prized for its aroma as well as its medicinal properties. Ladies of the Turkish sultans and Roman Empire used mastic as a breath freshener and to whiten their teeth. Doctors subscribed mastic to relieve stomach upsets. Ignored for years by the western world, it has always been revered in Greece and used to create traditional dishes.
Mastic and Greek Food
The traditional Greek diet is based on fresh food or fruit and vegetables in season. Until recently, it was rare to find imported fruit or vegetables on supermarket shelves which meant that meals were made up of garden produce or local market offerings. Mastic has always been a popular product in Greece precisely because it is harvested on the Greek island of Chios and the flavour it imparts is unique. It can be used in sweets, baked breads and biscuits, and beverages.
Mastic in Sweets
A very popular sweet in Greece is called glyko tou koutaliou, or spoon sweets. These are small servings (enough to fit on a spoon, hence their name) of syrupy candied fruit or even vegetables. In Chios, mastic is mixed with sugar, lemon juice and water and served on a spoon dipped in a glass of cold water. Known as an ipovrichio, or submarine, this was popular with Greek children before ice-cream became widely available. There is also a mastic flavoured ice-cream called Kaimaki which tastes of rich vanilla with an exotic musky note. Turkish Delight, or loukoumi as it is known in Greece, can also include mastic.
Mastic in Breads
Tsoureki is a sweet bread flavoured with mastic and mahlepi, a spice made from ground cherry stones. The bread is traditional Easter fare but can be found all year round and is the perfect accompaniment to a strong Greek coffee. Mastic can be added to biscuits and buns and some recipes of baklava include mastic in their list of ingredients.
Mastic in Beverages
Liqueurs such as Chios Masticha and a version of ouzo called Masticha Ouzo are examples of the use of mastic in Greek beverages. A cordial called Soumatha is made from almonds, sugar and mastic and was a traditional favourite when diluted with cold water during the hot summer.
Mastic Gum
Mastic chewing gum was the only gum to be found on supermarket shelves for many years before the arrival of more commercial brands. Nowadays, most Greek children prefer the sugar-laden bubble-gums in their fluorescent packaging to the mastic variety which is actually good for teeth and gums.
Unfortunately, it is one more example of the move away from the traditions which constitute a diet considered one of the healthiest in the world.
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