There
is a plant that gives a special meaning to the Chian flora: it is the so-called
mastic tree, the "Mastic lentisk". This amazing evergreen tree, also called
Schinos, is uniquely grown in this island and, although mastic plants grow in
many places on the island, it is systematically cultivated in the 21 mastic
villages of southern Chios. This is a short bush, with stretched out branches,
light or dark ashy color trunk according to the tree's age, and irregular bars
like wrinkles on it surface from where the mastic is taken. It needs good
weather and a special soil texture such as the one from the chalky rocks of the
island, which does not held many moisture in the surface. The average growth of
the tree ranges from 6 to 10 feet tall and it begins to produce mastic at the
age of 5 to 6 years old. Nowadays mastic is protected by the EEC and guaranteed
by the program for the protection of trade names (P.O.P.).
History
But,
why is mastic so significant for Chios' personality? Mastic was the main product
responsible for the economic and social development of the Chian people for a
long period and up to the present. Today, almost 5.000 families earn a
significant portion of their income by cultivating the mastic and exporting it
mainly to Arabic countries. In the past, this product was always strongly tied
to the history of the island. Its importance made the island a target for
conquerors, and therefore many villages were built as fortresses so both ,the
mastic and the villagers, were safe from the frequent barbarian-raiding parties
besides, during the Genoese and Turkish occupation, Chios gained certain
privileges thanks to this product .
When
exactly its cultivation became famous is still a mystery. The oldest
references to mastic have been traced back to Herodotes in the 5th Century B.C
Plinos, Dioskouridis, Galinos, Theofrastos and others mention it as well. The
people of Ancient Greece used mastic as the first chewing gum to whiten their
teeth and, during the Roman period, toothpicks were made from the mastic tree
and its use spread to the harems of the East. But according to tradition, the
Schina tree "started to burst into tears" when Saint Isidoros was a martyr from
the Romans in 250 A.D., exactly the same time when it is proved that Chians started to
continuously cultivate the mastic trees.
Uses & Qualities
The
mastic seems to be known from the ancient times because of its healing virtues,
for its aroma and its ethereal oils. This natural product has really a plethora
of qualities and uses: it is known in the worldwide medical industry because,
either as a medicine or as a chewing gum, it absorbs cholesterol, is an
antibacterial, acts as an oral antiseptic, aids digestion, tightens the gums,
heals wounds and is proven to help to cure stomach ulcers. Apart from these
aspects, it is also used in distilleries to produce mastic liqueur and the
mastic-flavored ouzo called mastichato. In culinary uses, it can also be
enjoyed in baking and in sweets such as biscuits, mastic ice cream, and mastic
sweets of the spoon. Finally, in a refined form it is also used as the primary
ingredient for toothpaste, shampoos, perfumes, in frankincense, and varnish.
Kendos
About
the cultivation and processing of the mastic today, the technique used is still
the famous traditional way: the kendos. This needs many people to work,
lots of time and hard work, which alltogether makes the mastic more valuable and
of higher quality. The laborious work begins in June and lasts till the end of
September, comprising many different steps. For the mastic growers, the day
begins early before sunrise and they make their way to the fields with their
donkeys in one of the most picturesque scenes ever seen on the island. They are
suitably dressed and well equipped in their endeavor, racing against the sun,
trying to avoid its presence.
Before
any elaboration, the ground around each mastic tree is cleaned and flattened.
The
trunks are well cleaned, scratched and wiped. Then the ground is covered with
white clay during the chomatisma so that the tears will stay clear and
dry faster as they fall to the ground, especially in areas that have red dust
since the white clay is easily separated from the mastic at the cleaning.
Then
the producers make an incision in a depth of 2 to 4 centimeters along the tree
trunk in the shape of an arch with a
kentitiri, a
small hammer, which is a very delicate work. The curing of the mastic tree ends
before the sun reaches its highest point.
When
the tears have been coagulated, the mastic laborers use the timitiri to
gather every little precious crystal. Back to the village, the narrow streets
come alive as the mastic collectors start the tahtarisma, the cleaning of
the crystals with soap and cold water, the drying and the scratching of the
mastic tears. Lastly, the mastic is taken to special laboratories where it is
processed to finally come in the market and in our homes with its great flavor
and taste.
However,
the magic of mastic does not come from its taste, its uniqueness or its careful
cultivation. Without a doubt, its magic relies on the whole social event its
elaboration turns into. Just visit the mastic villages during this period and
you will feel the history of the island and the warmth of people prevailing in
every corner of the village.
