Mastica is a natural resin from a small evergreen tree (large shrub) grown on the island of Chios in the eastern Aegean Sea.
 
 This evergreen tree called Schinos, belongs to the pistachio family. (Botanical name: Pistacia Lentiscus var. Chia)
 
 The average growth of the tree usually ranges from 1.5m to 3.5m in height and it begins to produce mastic when it is 5-6 years old. This tree, after about 15 years, could give 60-250gr of its resin called mastic. The average production per tree is 100gr. In very exceptional cases, very large old trees can produce 400g of mastic, or even a little more. This amazing tree only grows in the southern part of the island of Chios. In the south of Chios we find 24 villages that deal with the cultivation and production of mastic.
 
 The different names used for mastic are: Mastic, mastiha, mastika, masticha, mastica, mastix, etc.
 
 Since 1997, Chios mastiha has been identified as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product and is included in the corresponding community list.
 
 Mastic culture

 Winter season (preparation of mastic trees)
 
 From ancient times until today, not much has changed in the mastic production process, which unbreakably connects it with the historical tradition of southern Chios.
 
 The mastic tree is a fairly resilient plant with minor demands, which is why it grows well on arid, rocky, and poor soils. Its roots are spread over the surface of the soil and can survive in conditions of absolute drought. On the other hand, be extremely sensitive to cold and frost.
 
 Preparing the mastic tree begins in winter by pruning tree branches, giving the tree a suitable shape that allows it to pass under it.
 
 May - June (spreading white soil)
 
 At about the same time, a shallow plow is carried out in the field.
 Plowing is mainly done to clean the field of weeds, to a depth of around 10cm as the roots of the mastic tree are just below the soil surface.
 
 Around June leveling and cleaning of the perimeter around the trunk of the tree is carried out, where the mastic will fall.
 
 The next step is to spread white earth (calcium carbonate powder) over this area to give the drip mastic resin the opportunity to dry and facilitate picking without altering the chemical composition of the mastic. .
 
 Mid-July - mid-September
 
 In mid-July, the bark of the tree trunk is "injured" with incisions 10-15mm long and 2-3mm deep. The incisions are made in weekly stages and total 20 to 100, depending on the age and size of the tree, over a period of 6 to 8 weeks. From these incisions, the putty resin will come out in liquid drops that often look like tears.
 
 Most of the putty runs off the floor (on the white floor) and should stay there for 15-30 days until it is dry enough to collect.
 
 Mid-September - end of September (mastic collection)
 
 Mastic collection usually begins in mid-August, with work resuming very early in the morning.
 
 The larger pieces are collected (along with dust, tree leaves and small stones) from the ground. They are distributed in large wooden pots and taken to the producer's house to be stored in a dry and cool place.
 
 The small pieces of mastic are harvested in mid-September from the trunk of the tree and from the ground.
 
 November - February (mastic cleaning process)
 
 Cleaning the putty is a laborious task that begins in November.
 Usually the whole family is involved and the cleaning process lasts throughout the winter period.
 
 The putty is washed off, then the larger pieces are manually cleaned one by one with a small sharp knife.
 Small pieces are cleaned in a different way.