Known since antiquity for their antibacterial properties, these lozenges soothe the throat while releasing a delicate, fresh, and resinous mastic flavor.
✔️ Sugar-free
✔️ Gluten-free
🌿 The Treasure of Chios
Mastiha (μαστίχα) is not just an ingredient; it is a living heritage, inseparable from the Greek island of Chios. Derived from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia), this rare resin is harvested only in the southern villages of the island, using expertise passed down for over 2,000 years.
🏛 A Unique Cooperative in the World
Since 1938, the Chios Mastiha Growers Association has brought together nearly 4,500 producers from 20 primary cooperatives and 24 historic villages. It protects, processes, and promotes Chios mastic at every stage, from harvest to international distribution.
📜 Key Milestones • 1950: Launch of mastiha essential oil distillation
• 1957: First mastic chewing gum factory
• 1985: Creation of the ELMA factory
• 1997: Awarded Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
• 2002: Founding of Mediterra S.A. (mastihashop)
• 2008: Official support from the European Union
🤍 Culture, Transmission, and Quality
Democratically managed, the cooperative embodies a solidarity economy where each producer is both an actor and a guarantor of quality. Chios mastic is now recognized for its digestive, antiseptic, cosmetic, culinary, and aromatic uses, while remaining a natural, local, and seasonal product.
📸 Photo: July Klimi
⚠️ Mastic consumption is not a substitute for medical treatment. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate advice.
