{"product_id":"chios-mastic-resin-pistacia-lentiscus","title":"Chios Mastic Resin | Pistacia lentiscus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraditionally Cultivated in Chios • Small Tears No. 5 • Raw Resin Tears\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable Weights:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25 g | 50 g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePack Format:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25 g and 50 g are each supplied in a dedicated resealable pouch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Southern Chios, Greece\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePistacia lentiscus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e Raw natural resin tears\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrade:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small Tears No. 5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pine-balsamic and resinous, with bright citrus, sweet sap, cedar-like wood and clean herbal undertones\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest \u0026amp; Preparation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Traditionally harvested, washed, cleaned and graded\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary Use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aromatic incense resin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContents:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% pure Chios mastic resin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAroma \u0026amp; Incense Experience\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChios Mastic has a remarkably bright and finely layered aromatic profile. The first impression is fresh and resinous, combining pine-balsamic character with lively citrus and clean green notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the resin warms, a subtle sweetness reminiscent of fresh tree sap begins to emerge. Beneath it sit drier cedar-like woody notes and clean herbal undertones, giving the fragrance structure without becoming heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is an incense experience that feels crisp, resinous and distinctly Mediterranean. Its character develops progressively under gentle heat, rewarding slower warming with an aromatic complexity that is easily lost when too much resin or excessive heat is used at once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Chios Mastic Resin\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChios Mastic Resin is the naturally aromatic hardened resin of \u003cem\u003ePistacia lentiscus\u003c\/em\u003e, traditionally cultivated in the mastic-producing villages of southern Chios, Greece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the summer harvest, growers make a series of carefully controlled superficial incisions in the trunk and larger branches. Clear, viscous resin slowly emerges from the bark and gradually solidifies into the distinctive crystalline tears known as mastiha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter collection, the resin undergoes an exceptionally labour-intensive cleaning process before being sorted and graded according to its physical characteristics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSacred Plants Australia supplies the resin in its natural Small Tears No. 5 form. It is not an essential oil, fragrance blend or prepared incense and contains no added synthetic fragrance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSmall Tears No. 5 \u0026amp; Natural Variation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall Tears No. 5 is a small-tear grade of genuine Chios mastic, characterised by naturally small, irregular resin pieces rather than large uniform crystals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndividual tears typically show subtle variation in size, shape, colour, clarity and surface texture. They may range from pale opaque cream through to semi-translucent pale amber. These differences are characteristic of a genuine natural resin and will vary between individual tears and harvest batches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMastic is also naturally responsive to temperature. Small Tears No. 5 are comparatively well suited to warmer conditions, but prolonged heat can still soften the resin or cause individual pieces to adhere to one another. Cooler storage returns the resin to a firmer state.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatural variation or slight warm-weather clumping does not indicate deterioration of the product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDid You Know?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChios mastic became so important to the island’s economy that, under Genoese rule, the producing villages of southern Chios were deliberately organised as fortified settlements, hidden from the sea and protected by defensive walls formed from the houses themselves. Narrow streets twisted into labyrinths, entrances were tightly controlled and interconnected rooftops provided escape routes during attack. Under Ottoman rule, the mastic villages were also granted unusual privileges and direct administration linked to their obligation to supply the prized resin, making mastic one of the rare botanical products to leave its mark not only on Mediterranean trade, but on the architecture and government of entire communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Ethnobotanical History\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cultural home of Chios Mastic is the Mastichochoria, the historic mastic-producing villages of southern Chios.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMastiha production follows an annual cycle that remains closely tied to traditional family knowledge. In early summer, growers clear and carefully level the ground beneath each tree before covering the prepared surface with a fine white material known locally as asprohoma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom July begins the most distinctive stage of cultivation, known as kentima. Using a specialised pointed tool, growers make repeated shallow incisions in the bark of the trunk and main branches. The resin emerges gradually in clear droplets and falls onto the prepared ground, where the tears harden before collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvesting is followed by months of cleaning, sorting and grading. Traditionally, much of this painstaking work has been undertaken communally by families within the mastic villages, making the production of mastiha as much a cultural practice as an agricultural one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2014, UNESCO inscribed the know-how of cultivating mastic on Chios on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising the knowledge transmitted between generations and the social traditions surrounding its cultivation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChios Mastiha also holds Protected Designation of Origin status in the European Union, formally linking the genuine product with its geographical and cultural origin in Chios.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond incense, mastic has occupied an unusual place in Eastern Mediterranean life as a natural chewing gum, culinary aromatic, perfumery material and traded botanical resin. Its long history reflects the versatility of a material that has connected agriculture, fragrance, food, commerce and culture for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHeating \u0026amp; Incense Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e01  START SMALL\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBegin with only a few Small Tears No. 5. Natural mastic is highly aromatic and considerably more resin can always be added as the fragrance develops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e02  CHOOSE YOUR HEAT\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the greatest aromatic control, use a purpose-designed electric resin warmer or another incense heater that allows the resin to warm progressively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditional incense charcoal provides a faster, hotter and more immediate release, producing a stronger aromatic presence and more smoke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e03  WARM GENTLY\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAllow the heating surface to reach a stable temperature before adding the resin. Mastic softens readily as it warms, releasing its aromatic compounds before heavier smoke develops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExperienced incense users seeking greater control over charcoal heat may use an appropriate \u003ca href=\"\/products\/japanese-mica-incense-heating-plate\"\u003emica plate\u003c\/a\u003e or a controlled layer of clean incense ash where their burner is designed for this method.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e04  FOLLOW THE AROMA\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAllow the first resin to warm before adding more. Gentle heat gives the pine-balsamic, citrus, sweet resinous, woody and herbal characteristics time to emerge individually rather than being overwhelmed by immediate scorching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e05  BUILD GRADUALLY\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncrease the amount of resin or heat only as required. With fine natural resins, more material does not necessarily produce a better aromatic experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSafety \u0026amp; Storage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse only with a purpose-designed incense burner or resin warmer positioned on a stable, heatproof surface in a well-ventilated area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNever leave heated resin, an electric incense warmer or burning charcoal unattended. Keep away from children, pets and combustible materials. Charcoal, burners, ash and melted resin can remain extremely hot after use, so allow everything to cool completely before handling or disposal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor aromatic incense use only. Do not ingest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReseal the pouch firmly after use and store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, excessive heat, moisture and strong odours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarm conditions may temporarily soften the resin or cause some tears to adhere together. This is a natural physical characteristic of mastic and does not indicate loss of quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacked in Australia by Sacred Plants Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Biosecurity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNSW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQLD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTAS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConditions apply\u003cbr\u003eRaw mastic resin is treated as a restricted plant product under Tasmania’s current framework. Import, labelling and inspection requirements apply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVIC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConditions apply\u003cbr\u003eDried plant products are subject to quarantine inspection and must be free of pests and seed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eINTERNATIONAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConditions apply\u003cbr\u003ePlease confirm your destination’s import requirements before ordering. International post is available where permitted. Sacred Plants Australia does not provide phytosanitary certificates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003csmall\u003eLast Reviewed: 1 October 2026\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sacred Plants Australia","offers":[{"title":"25 g","offer_id":53803796922662,"sku":"CMR-25","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50 g","offer_id":53803796955430,"sku":"CMR-50","price":74.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1035\/7656\/8102\/files\/chios-mastic-resin-pistacia-lentiscus-golden-translucent-resin-tear-studio-macro.png?v=1792739810","url":"https:\/\/sacredplants.com.au\/products\/chios-mastic-resin-pistacia-lentiscus","provider":"Sacred Plants Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}