Translucent golden Chios mastic resin tear illuminated against a black studio background, showing internal detail and glossy surface.

Extreme macro detail of a glowing translucent golden Chios mastic resin tear against a black background.

Traditional Chios mastic resin harvesting from Pistacia lentiscus in the Mastichochoria.

Fresh Chios mastic resin tears forming on the bark of Pistacia lentiscus.

Chios mastic resin tears held in cupped hands.

Chios mastic resin used for aromatic incense on charcoal.

Chios Mastic Resin Pistacia lentiscus

Southern Chios, Greece • Small Tears No. 5 • Traditional Kentima Tapping

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Did You Know?

Chios Mastic Resin

Pistacia lentiscus

In the year 250 AD, Roman soldiers executed the island's patron saint, Agios Isidoros, dragging him through the local mastic groves. According to ancient Chian lore, the Pistacia lentiscus trees began weeping aromatic resin in mourning for the saint. This legend of the weeping trees of Chios became permanently woven into the harvest's identity, giving the hardened resin drops their famous name: the “Tears of Chios.”

Product Highlights

OriginSouthern Chios, Greece

SpeciesPistacia lentiscus

GradeSmall Tears No. 5

AromaPine • Balsamic • Citrus • Cedar

HarvestKentima

Primary UseAromatic Incense Resin

About Chios Mastic Resin How genuine Chios mastic forms, is cleaned and graded.

Chios Mastic Resin is the naturally aromatic hardened resin of Pistacia lentiscus, traditionally cultivated exclusively on the southern half of Chios Island, Greece.

During the summer harvest, growers perform the traditional kentima—making precise incisions in the bark to allow the liquid resin to emerge and cure in the sun into hard droplets known as mastiha.

After collection, the crystalline tears are hand-cleaned, sorted, and strictly graded by size and purity.

Origins & Heritage Kentima, Mastichochoria and the heritage behind genuine Chios mastiha.

The cultivation of Chios Mastic is anchored in the Mastichochoria, the historic network of mastic villages in the island’s south.

In early summer, growers clear the ground beneath each tree, pressing a fine white calcium carbonate powder—known locally as asprohoma—into the earth to create a clean curing surface.

During kentima, shallow incisions are made in the bark. As the liquid resin drops onto the asprohoma, the prepared white surface allows the tears to harden cleanly without direct contact with bare soil, helping preserve their clarity.

Once cured, the harvest is collected, hand-cleaned and rigorously graded using generational knowledge preserved within the village families.

Chios Mastiha has held Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status in the European Union since 1997.

Aroma & Incense Experience

TOP NOTES

Crisp Pine

HEART NOTES

Warm Resin

BASE NOTES

Dry Cedar

Heating & Incense Use Five practical steps for controlled aromatic heating.

01 START SMALL

Begin with 3–5 small resin pieces. This resin is highly aromatic, so only a small amount is required.

02 PREPARE THE CHARCOAL

Light a charcoal disc in a suitable incense censer and allow it to become fully established before adding resin.

03 MODERATE THE HEAT

Place a mica plate over the charcoal for a gentler, more controlled release and to reduce direct scorching.

04 OBSERVE THE MELT

Allow the tears to soften and pool, revealing the aromatic progression from Crisp Pine through Warm Resin to Dry Cedar.

05 BUILD GRADUALLY

Add further tears only as the previous resin is spent. Avoid overloading the charcoal, as too much resin can restrict the heat and weaken or extinguish the disc.

Safety & Storage Essential heat safety and storage guidance.

Burn Safety: Ensure charcoal is placed on a stable, heatproof surface in a well-ventilated space. Never leave lit charcoal unattended. Keep away from combustible materials, children and pets. Allow the charcoal, censer and resin to cool completely before handling or disposal.

Storage Protocol: To preserve the volatile aromatic compounds and structural integrity of the tears, reseal the pouch immediately after use. Store in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight and excessive heat to prevent premature softening of the resin.

Shipping & Biosecurity Australian destination status and international post conditions.

ACT

Available

NSW

Available

QLD

Available

TAS

Conditions apply A Notice of Intention to Import must be lodged at least 24 hours before arrival. Biosecurity inspection applies. Tasmanian import requirements →

VIC

Available

Conditions apply Quarantine inspection applies to dried plant products entering Western Australia. Western Australian requirements →

INTERNATIONAL

Conditions apply Please confirm your destination’s import requirements before ordering. International post is available where permitted. Sacred Plants Australia does not provide phytosanitary certificates.

Biosecurity & Shipping Information →

Last Reviewed: 1 October 2026

Product Images: Photography represents the resin offered. Individual pieces may naturally vary in size, shape, colour and crystallisation.

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Chios Mastic Resin Pistacia lentiscus

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