mesteka

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.