Mastiha

Working the mastiha trees is a tradition of centuries and is unchanged over time. It is associated with the tradition of the mastiha villages and it needs attention and work throughout the year. The mastiha trees or otherwise the “shinos”, must be fertilized, branches must be trimmed and the ground around the tree must be cleaned before anything begins. Once the ground around the tree is clean of plants and stones, its leveled and then it is ready for the “colouring”. The “colouring” is a procedure in which the leveled ground under the tree is covered in a white dirt called “asprohoma”, which is very sieved, so the mastiha drops can fall on a clean as possible surface. Now the trees are ready for the “kentima”, the most important part of the prodution of mastiha. During this part, the tree itself is cut “kentima”, with sharp objects, small cuts as to inflict damage but not to sever any branches. The tools used in this process are called “kentitiria”. This must be done for each mastiha tree twice a week in the months of July and August. In mid-August, the gathering begins, first with the so-called mastiha pies, the thickest mastiha drops. In mid-September is the next phase of picking. At that point cultivatοrs start collecting the mastiha drops that are smaller. After all pies, drops and even droplets of mastiha are gathered, the very difficult and time-consuming task of cleaning the mastiha begins, the so-called “pastrema”. Traditionally this is done by groups of women, as a some what of social activity and so they can help each other. This activity begins in the fall and may even finish in the spring. Once all of this is finished, the final product goes to the Chios Mastiha Producers Association.