The magical mastic trees of Chios

Supported By: Chios

Did you know trees can cry? Well, that is the case on Greece’s fifth largest island Chios, home to Mastic Trees, an ancient tree of significance for its production of resin which appears through the bark in the shape of teardrops. And not just any tears – sweet, aromatic resin tears – used to create beverages, medicine, sweets and even chewing gum.

The magic doesn’t stop here. The reason Chios’ trees are so special is that, whilst they grow elsewhere, the only place they produce their sweet, sweet resin is on Chios. No one knows why, but medieval legend says the phenomenon started as the trees shed tears during the execution of patron saint Agios Isidoros.

Savvy Chians have been collecting the tears for generations, and the process is so special and unique that it has now been placed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. To protect the ancient trees, the island residents carry out a laborious year-long process to care for the species including pruning in winter, clearing and sieving the ground in June and careful harvesting of the resin between July and October. And that’s not all, the harvesting process involves making up to 100 small incisions in the tree twice a week for the liquid resin to run out. Collection of the larger crystalised resin tears takes place in mid-August, with a secondary harvest of smaller pieces in September.

A real labour of love, the hard work pays off, by not only preserving an ancient social tradition but also producing a completely unique substance which brings visitors to the island and is used across Greece.

Visitors can delve deeper into the world of Mastic at the Chios Mastic Museum located on the island’s southern side, where the unique trees grow. The museum explores how the UNESCO certified process is intrinsically woven into the cultural landscape of Chios and how the method, both environmentally and socially sustainable, has shaped the island, landscape, and its people.

Visit Website: https://www.piop.gr/en/diktuo-mouseiwn/Mouseio-Mastixas/to-mouseio.aspx