Mastic is a natural resin with a whitish-pale yellow color and is transparent to translucent. This natural product is produced from the mastic tree, an evergreen shrub with the scientific name Pistacia Lentiscus var. Chia Gets its full development in 40 to 50 years and lives about 100 years. From the 5th to the 6th year it gives its resin (mastic) and after the 15th year it produces from 60 to 400 grams of mastic per year.

Natural crystalline resin, with white or pale yellow color and in the form of spheres of irregular or irregular shape. It has a unique taste and special aroma characteristic of the product. It is a product of Protected Designation of Origin and is collected, cleaned and packaged in accordance with the laws and regulations of the European Union, which apply to food and the quality seal of the Chios Mastic Producers Association.

The mastic tree thrives exclusively in southern Chios. According to theories, this is due to the temperate climate and especially to the microclimate of the area but also to the underwater volcanoes and the limestone soil. Efforts have been made in the past to cultivate the mastic-bearing schinos in other parts of Greece and in other countries but always without success.

The preparation of the spruce and the collection of the mastic is a very laborious work and they start in June with the clearing of the soil from the spruce. The soil, after being thoroughly cleaned, is paved with a special well-sifted white soil. Then begins the "embroidery" on the trunk of the tree, the incision of volumes 10-15mm, once a week for 6-8 weeks. The number of volumes varies from 20-100 depending on the age and size of the tree.

Mastic slowly begins to flow from the incisions like a tear. The largest amount falls on the white soil and takes 15-30 days to solidify, depending on weather conditions. Then begins the collection of thick mastic (large pieces), in the early morning hours, in mid-August, and fine mastic from early September.

Mastic cleaning begins in October - November, immediately after collection. It is a difficult, time consuming and specialized process that is done piece by piece by hand, until the mastic takes its final commercial form, and is available for sale.