Known in Egypt as Mesteka, the Mastic resin is used in many Egyptian dishes, ranging from soups to meat and desserts.
The Greeks seem to think that this ingredient is unique to them, but it is not. In Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, the dondurma ice cream is made with Mastic.
The resin has a unique flavor and can be chewed like gum, where the translucent hard droplets turn into opaque white.
Resources
- Mastic Article on Wikipedia.
- Botanical information on Pistacia lentiscus, the Mastic tree.
- More botanical informaiton on Pistacia.
- Article on Mastic from a Greek recipes site
Comments
helios (not verified)
Masticha
Tue, 2010-11-02 01:54I beg to differ.
The Greeks think right....you will find that the Masticha used in Turkey and those other countries mentioned is not the genuine Greek masticha and it is called among other names "Gum Arab" and it also comes from a different type of tree.The real masticha is a native of the island of Chios, in Greece.Please read the Mastic article above and in particular imitations.My best wishes.