Mastic Tree, Mastic shrub

Where does Mastic Tree grow?

Found in: Africa, Algeria, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Europe, France, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Mediterranean, Morocco, North Africa, North America, Palestine, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United States

Status: It is important on the Greek island of Chios.

Growing Mastic Tree, Mastic shrub

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed.

Edible Uses: The nut inside the fruit is edible. They are eaten raw or roasted. The sap is used to flavour an alcoholic beverage. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. It is also used in puddings, cookies, cakes and candies. The gum is used for texture and binding but gives some flavour. It is chewed as a breath freshener. It is sweet and has a liquorice flavour. The seeds yield an edible oil. The young leaves and leaf buds are eaten. They can be eaten raw as a snack or in yoghurt salad.

Production: It is slow growing. Mastic production can commence at 5-6 years and yield 1 kg per tree by 15 years old. They take 40-50 years to become well established. Production declines after 70 years. Trees can live for 200 years. When the bark is cut it yields a clear resinous substance which coagulates to give gum mastic. The "tears" of gum are 3-5 mm long.

Nutrition Info

References

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