The common name is mastic, and the scientific name is Pistacia lentiscus L., belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, which is part of the Sapindales order and the Angiosperms class.
The evergreen tree grows to a height of 1 to 5 meters and has a
strong resinous odor. It thrives in dry, rocky areas of Mediterranean Europe.
In suitable locations, when allowed to grow freely and mature, the tree can
often reach a height of 7 meters. The tree's leaves are alternate, leathery,
compound pinnate, and have five or six pairs of dark green leaflets. The plant
produces small flowers; the male flower has five stamens, and the female flower
has a three-part style. The fruit is a drupe, initially red, turning black when
ripe. Although not commonly eaten, the fruit is edible and has a raisin-like
flavor.
Culinary Uses: In the
Eastern Mediterranean, Chios mastic is used as a spice. It is commonly used in
baking and cooking, adding flavor to foods such as brioche (Luxurious French
bread rich in butter and eggs), ice cream, and other desserts.
Mastic is used in Greek, Cypriot, Syrian, and Lebanese cuisine,
and more recently in Japanese cuisine. Early on, it was used as chewing gum;
hence the name.
In Lebanon, mastic is used in ice cream, sauces, and condiments.
In Egypt, mastic is used in canned vegetables for preservation,
in thick or gummy jams, and in soups and savory dishes such as Egyptian
chicken, duck, rabbit, and fish recipes. It is often used with cardamom.
In Morocco, it is used in the preparation of smoked foods, while
in Syria, it is added to boza (Syrian ice cream).
In Turkey, mastic is widely used in the production of sweets
such as Turkish delight and dondurma, and in desserts like rice pudding (made
with rice, water or milk, and other ingredients such as cinnamon, raisins, and
mastic), salep, and heitaliya (made by soaking wheat for at least eight hours,
then draining the water, blending it, straining the resulting liquid, and then
heating it with sugar, milk (liquid or powdered), and mastic, then pouring it
over a fire and serving it hot in winter), and in soft drinks. Mastic syrup is
also added to Turkish coffee on the Aegean coast.
In North African
countries, mastic is mainly used in cakes, sweets, and pastries, and as a
stabilizer in meringue (a type of Swiss and Italian dessert usually made from
whipped egg whites and sugar, sometimes with the addition of lemon, vinegar, or
cream of tartar; a binding agent such as salt, flour, or gelatin can also be
added to the eggs) and nougat.
In Greece, mastic is used in a dessert spoon known as a
"submarine," and in drinks, chewing gum, sweets, bread, and cheese.
It is also used as a stabilizer in desserts and ice cream.
In Jordan, mastic is used as one of the main ingredients (along
with glucose) in the production of mastic gum.
Medicinal Uses: Mastic
has been used for centuries to promote the health of the digestive system,
mouth, and liver, whether in the form of chewing gum, powder, tinctures, or
capsules. Its oil can also be used topically to help treat certain skin
conditions. This is due to its antioxidant content. Mastic oil is used in many
hair care cosmetics, as it strengthens hair follicles, enhances hair vitality,
moisturizes it, and makes it shinier and less prone to breakage.
It is also used in some preparations to reduce
redness and itching caused by dandruff. Mastic oil also possesses antiseptic
and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful topically for moisturizing
the skin, combating signs of aging, healing wounds, and reducing itching from
insect bites. It is also used to help treat certain skin conditions such as
dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne. Furthermore, it reduces pimples and
blackheads, giving the skin a healthy glow and smooth texture.
Greek mastic helps reduce abdominal pain and digestive tract
inflammation; it alleviates symptoms of Crohn's disease; it aids in the
treatment of colon cancer; and it helps eliminate Helicobacter pylori bacteria
and the stomach ulcers it causes.
Mastic lowers cholesterol levels and also reduces blood sugar
levels. Mastic gum is characterized by its diuretic and anti-urinary tract
properties. It reduces the binding and infiltration of calcium oxalate
monohydrate crystals and decreases the cell death stimulated by these crystals.
Mastic gum increases libido due to its high zinc content. The type found on the
Greek island of Chios is among the richest in zinc.
Mastic gum helps promote dental health, prevents cavities, and
freshens breath. It also reduces the growth of the protozoan parasite
Trichomonas vaginalis, which causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection
that can cause inflammation of the reproductive organs and may increase the
risk of uterine cancer.
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