Mastic Tears
Photo: Wiki Images
The word mastic itself, has the same root as the English word 'masticate' - to chew.
The tree is native to the Mediterranean region, but only the mastic trees of southern Chios "weep" the mastic resin when their bark is scored. The island's mastic production is controlled by a co-operative of medieval villages, collectively known as the 'Mastichochoria ' which are also located in the southern part of Chios. In addition to mastic, mastic oil is also produced. There is even a small Museum of Mastic in the village of Pyrgi.
Pistacia lentiscus shrub
Photo: Wiki Images
Nowadays, mastic is used to prepare mastic liqueurs like Mastichato, a spoon sweet known as "vanilla", beverages, chewing gum, cakes, pastries, sweets, desserts, breads, and in cheese production. It is also a binding material or material preparation stabilizer for oriental sweets like "Turkish Delight" or mastic gum ice cream, and is suitable for preparing a pudding. In desserts, as an ingredient of jam or cakes, mastic is used to replace cornstarch and gelatin.
1 comment:
wow.. very interesting... I have never tasted those... I hope to taste those someday... I hope I'll like it since raisins from grapes don't suit my taste much... :D
- Noypi here
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