Chios Mastiha

Chios Mastiha Liqueur
	Chios Mastiha Liqueur (right) and Mastika (left)
Type	liqueur
Country of origin	Greece
Region of origin	Chios
Alcohol by volume	>15%
Colour	transparent crystal clear to yellowish
Flavour	mastic
Ingredients	water, alcohol, sugar, mastic

Chios Mastiha Liqueur (Greek: Μαστίχα Χίου, Greek pronunciation: [masˈtixa ˈçi.u]) is a liqueur flavoured with mastic distillate or mastic oil from the island of Chios. The name Chios Mastiha has protected designation of origin status in the European Union.[1] Chios Mastiha liqueur is served cold and has a crystal clear colour and a sweet aroma.

Mastic shrub — Pistacia lentiscus

Production

The process is regulated by Greek law and includes the flavouring of alcohol with mastic oil by agitation or the distillation of mastic with alcohol. The solution is then diluted with water and sweetened with sugar. The final alcoholic strength by volume of Chios Mastiha must be at least 15%.

Flavouring

The only flavouring agents used in Chios Mastiha liqueur are an alcoholic distillate of mastic or mastic oil made from Chios mastic. Mastic is the hardened sap harvested from the mastic tree, Pistacia lentiscus var chia, a small evergreen shrub that grows on rocky terrain on the southern part of the island. Chios mastic is certified by the Agricultural Products Certification and Supervision Organization as part of the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food.[2] The island's mastic production is controlled by a co-operative of medieval villages, the Mastichochoria.

Producers and distributors

Chios

The Growers' Spirit is a producing company run by the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association (CGMGA).[3] The CGMGA offers Mastiha liqueur made with both mastic distillate and mastic oil in two different variants: Kentos (20% alcohol) and Enosis (30% alcohol).
Stoupakis Chios Distillery produces Homeric Mastiha, which contains mastic distillate.

Wider Greece

Skinos, based in Athens.
Finest Roots, based in Kalamata, produces Roots Mastic and Roots Mastic Vintage Strength.
Mavrakis, based in Patra.
D'ARGO Distillery, based in Athens, produces CHANDOLIA Mastic Liqueur by 100% Distillate

United States

Mastrogiannis Mastiha
Ambrosia Group, based in Miami, produces FOS Greek Mastiha.[4]
YA Mastiha

History

Mastic has been harvested for at least 2,500 years since Greek Antiquity. The first mention of actual mastic 'tears' was by Hippocrates. Hippocrates used mastic for the prevention of digestive problems, colds and as a breath freshener. Roman emperors used mastic along with honey, pepper, and egg in the spiced wine conditum paradoxum. Digestive liqueurs, similar to Mastiha but made with grapes, were known as the Greek elixirs before the French Revolution.

References

"Masticha Chiou". Database of Origin and Registration. European Commission Agriculture and Rural Development. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
"Inspection and Certification of PDO and PGI Products". Agrocert. Hellenic Agricultural Organization. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
"The Growers' Spirit in the UK". Mastiha World.
Doss, Laine. "Fos Greek Mastiha: Go Greek at the Setai". Miami New Times. Miami New Times, LLC. Retrieved 29 August 2017.

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[EC-1] "Masticha Chiou". Database of Origin and Registration. European Commission Agriculture and Rural Development. Retrieved 29 August 2017.

[HAO-2] "Inspection and Certification of PDO and PGI Products". Agrocert. Hellenic Agricultural Organization. Retrieved 29 August 2017.

[3] "The Growers' Spirit in the UK". Mastiha World.

[4] Doss, Laine. "Fos Greek Mastiha: Go Greek at the Setai". Miami New Times. Miami New Times, LLC. Retrieved 29 August 2017.