about mastiha
what is mastiha?
Mastiha (mas-tee-hah) is a resin secreted from the skinos tree, found only in Chios, Greece. It is one of the most ancient superfoods known for its healing properties, used as a health and beauty supplement, and as a culinary spice.
FOUND ONLY ON ONE ISLAND IN THE WORLD
This specific tree can be found only in ONE PLACE in the entire world—the Greek island of Chios, located in the Aegean Sea. The tree ONLY grows in the southern part of the island in 24 villages known as the mastiho-horia (mastiha-producing villages), hence recognized by the EU, as a P.D.O. (Protected Designation of Origin) ingredient since 1997.
Mastiha applications
Mastiha is not only rare, but extremely versatile and has many different applications.
SPICES & COOKING
Mastiha is traditionally used throughout Greece, Turkey, the Mediterranean basin and the middle east as a spice in food, for baking breads and cookies, and used to flavor drinks, like the Kleos Mastiha Spirit!
The famous New Year’s Day cake, the “vasilo-pita”, many times has Mastiha as a main aromatic and flavoring ingredient. This cake contains a coin in the slice of the lucky recipient who will get good luck for the year.
Tsoureki, a sweetbread, also traditionally contains mastiha. “Kaimaki”, the BEST ICE CREAM EVER (!) —famous in Greece and Turkey, contains sheep’s milk, salepi, cinnamon, and of course mastiha!
KLEOS Mastiha Spirit can easily replace an anisette or white wine, with mussels, clams, or octopus, and give a beautiful dimension in flavor and aroma.
More than 20 great food recipes can be found here!
oral hygiene
Due to its distinctive taste and relative hardness, Chios mastiha stimulates a greater production of saliva than ordinary chewing gum. This results in a greater feeling of freshness and cleanliness in the mouth, while also contributing to the treatment of “xerostomia” (dry mouth).
University studies have shown that chewing mastiha effectively helps to massage and exercise the gums, prevents tooth decay and peodontal problems, as well as limiting the formation of plaque.
Today, you can buy Mastiha toothpaste, Mastiha mouth wash, and even chew the raw mastiha the way the ancient Greeks and romans did. Check out mastihashop.com in the EU to buy these products!
Also, the modern-day chewing gum is available at select Whole Foods markets in NY and Massachusetts.
DIY Mouthwash:
- 50 ml (approx. 2 oz) green tea
- 2 drops mastiha oil
- Mix the ingredients well and use as a mouthwash after meals or after brushing.
- Do not swallow. Strengthens gums, helps prevent decay, and freshens breath!
digestive health
Chios Mastiha has been known as an effective ingredient in the treatment of stomach pains, gastric disorders, digestive problems, and stomach ulcers since ancient times.
Today, there are over 20 modern published medical studies that prove that Mastiha kills H.Pylori, which is the bacteria that causes peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer.
Mastiha is proven to prevent and treat the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease, IBS, and is the most natural way to treat peptic ulcers and acid reflux. The Mastihashops sell pills and powder for the stomach, as well as the actual raw resin that you can chew as gum, and swallow for gut health!
cosmetics
Chios Mastiha has anti-microbial and healing properties that contribute to the effective regeneration of the skin, as well as synthesis of collagen. As such, mastiha is one of the components of self-adhesive bandages, as well as skin care creams and anti-aging products, that you can find at the Mastihashops.
Most recently it has been advertised as an ingredient in luxury skincare line CHANEL's "Blue Zone" Cream. The Spanish manuscript of the 16th century, “Manual de Mujeres”, includes a recipe for soap with mastiha: 2 ounces white soap, ¼ mastiha, and ¼ borax.
DIY Facial Mask:
- 1 spoonful of full fat yogurt
- ½ spoonful of rice flour
- 3 drops mastiha oil
- Mix the ingredients well, and apply the mask on a clean and dry face, avoiding the eye area.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse the face well with lukewarm water.
- Apply up to 3x per week.
HOW IT’S CULTIVATED
We take pride in our process of cultivating this ancient superfood
step one "KSISIMO"
"Ksisimo" is the first step of the mastiha harvest, and involves clearing the area of round the trunk of the tree (known as "table"), from any rocks, leaves, and debris.
step two "FISIMA"
The second step of the mastiha harvest entails using a leaf blower or a broom, to even more thoroughly ensure the table for the mastiha tears to fall, is crystal clean.
step three "RINIASMA"
The "riniasma" or the first "kendima" is the first set of incisions done on the tree to "wake it up" around July 15 at the official start of the mastiha harvest.This is where the mastiha sap will start to slowly ooze from the tree, then drop and crystallize.
step four "PITOLOGIMA"
After the first mastiha tears have dropped to the ground, and crystallized, they sometimes form big chunks called the "pita". The collection of this pita is called the "pitologima".
step five "Koskinisma"
After the first collection of mastiha, we continue kendima through the months of september to keep collecting mastiha from the skinos trees. Koskinisma, is the placement of mastiha collected in a sieve, to sift through small rocks and dirt, so only the mastiha tears remain.
step six "pastremma"
The last step in mastiha cultivation is called "Pastremma". Farmers clean the mastiha by hand before giving it to the Chios Mastiha Growers Association. This is a huge part of the social fabric of the mastiho-horia, and happens in late September and October, primarily done by the women of the villages.
BROWSE OUR
COCKTAIL COLLECTION
KLEOS Mastiha Spirit mixes 1:1 with virtually every spirit on your bar. Check out our favorite ways of creating cocktails with our iconic mastiha flavor!
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