The Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association

The Chios Mastiha Growers Association (CMGA) is an agricultural cooperative established in 1938, managing the exclusive production and distribution of natural mastiha from the island of Chios in Greece. "Masticha Chiou" ("Μαστίχα Χίου") European Union protected designation of origin.

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The cooperative represents approximately 4,500 members from 20 primary cooperatives located in 24 villages in southern Chios, known as Mastihohoria. CMGA’s vision is to introduce consumers worldwide to mastiha through modern and healthy products, highlighting its unique taste, aroma, and scientifically proven therapeutic properties. Through its commitment to quality and sustainable development, CMGA strives to preserve the cultural heritage of Chios and promote the unique qualities of mastiha on an international level.

Mastic (Greek: Μαστίχα) is a resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). It is also known as tears of Chios, being traditionally produced on the island of Chios, and, like other natural resins, is produced in "tears" or droplets.

Mastic is excreted by the resin glands of the evergreen shrub Pistacia lentiscus and dries into pieces of brittle, translucent resin. When chewed, the resin softens and becomes bright white and opaque. The flavor is bitter at first, but after some chewing, it releases a refreshing flavor similar to pine and cedar.

During the Ottoman rule of Chios, mastic was worth its weight in gold. Sakız Adası, the Turkish name for the island of Chios, means 'gum island'. The mastic villages are fortress-like, out of sight from the sea, surrounded by high walls and with no doors at street level (meaning that the villages were entered only by ladders), in order to protect the sap.

As of 2024 there are twenty-four mastichochoria, or mastic villages, on the island of Chios dedicated to the cultivation and production of mastic. The designation "Masticha Chiou" ("Μαστίχα Χίου") is protected by a European Union protected designation of origin (PDO). Masticha Chiou is a natural gum that comes from the mastic tree (Pistacia Lentiscus var Chia), which belong to the family of Anarcadiaceae. It is produced in the traditional manner only in the island of Chios and is known for a great many years (more than 3000). It has medicinal, pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Masticha Chiou is produced in the southern part of the island of Chios, in the 24 villages and communities known as "Mastihohoria" (literally "the mastic villages"), viz. Ag. Georgios, Amolia, Vavili, Vessa, Vouno, Elata, Exo Didima, Tholopotami, Thimiana, Kalamoti, Kallimasia, Kataraktis, Kini, Livi, Mesa Didima, Mesta, Mirmiggi, Nenita, Neochori, Olimpi, Pagida, Patrika, Pirgi and Flatsia, Greece.

Mastic

The island's mastic production is controlled by a cooperative. Founded in 1938, the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association (Greek: Ένωση Μαστιχοπαραγωγών Χίου), abbreviated CGMGA, is a secondary cooperative organisation and acts as the collective representative organ of twenty primary cooperatives founded in the twenty-four mastic villages. it has the exclusive management of natural Chios Masticha in Greece and abroad. The Chios Mastic Museum offers a permanent exhibition about mastic production on the island, explaining its history and cultivation techniques as well as demonstrating its different uses today.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, mastic is commonly used in brioches, ice cream, and other desserts. In the Levant, mastic is added to booza (Levantine ice cream), and in Turkey, mastic is widely used in desserts such as Turkish delight and dondurma, in puddings such as sütlaç, salep, tavuk göğsü, mamelika, and in soft drinks. Mastic syrup is added to Turkish coffee on the Aegean coast. In Greece, mastic is used in liqueurs such as Mastika (or Mastichato), in a spoon sweet known as a "submarine" (Greek: υποβρύχιο, romanized: ypovríchio), in beverages, chewing gum, sweets, desserts, breads and cheese. It is also used to stabilise loukoumi and ice cream.

One of the earliest uses of mastic was as chewing gum.

Chios (/ˈkaɪ.ɒs, ˈkaɪ.oʊs, ˈkiː-/; Greek: Χίος, romanized: Chíos [ˈçi.os], traditionally known as Scio in English) is the fifth largest Greek island, situated in the northern Aegean Sea, and the tenth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. Chios is notable for its exports of mastic gum and its nickname is "the Mastic Island". Tourist attractions include its medieval villages and the 11th-century monastery of Nea Moni, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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The Chios Mastiha Growers Association (CMGA) Mastiha Chios Mastic Gum "Masticha Chiou" ("Μαστίχα Χίου")

Mastiha Natural Mastic Gum 10g

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