Chios Mastic: The Aegean's Golden Treasure
Chios mastic is an aromatic resin harvested exclusively from Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia trees in southern Chios — the only place on Earth where the trees produce commercial quantities of this substance. This article explores the science behind the resin, the 24 medieval Mastichochoria villages built around its production, the ancient hand-harvesting techniques still used today, modern pharmaceutical research confirming its medicinal properties, and the threats facing this 2,500-year-old tradition.