Mastic (plant resin) ||This article needs additional citations
for verification. (March 2010)| Mastic (Greek: Μαστίχα) is a
resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). In
pharmacies and nature shops, it is called "arabic gum" (not to
be confused with gum arabic) and "Yemen gum". In Greece, it is
known as the "tears of Chios," being traditionally produced on
that Greek island, and, like other natural resins, is produced
in "tears" or droplets. Originally liquid, it is sun dried into
drops of hard brittle translucent resin. When chewed, the resin
softens and becomes a bright white and opaque gum. The flavor is
bitter at first, but after chewing, it releases a refreshing,
slightly piney or cedar flavor. The word mastic is derived from
the Greek verb, μαστιχειν "to gnash the teeth", which is the
source of the English word masticate. The word mastic is a
synonym for gum in many languages. Within the European Union,
mastic production in Chios is granted protected designation of
origin. The island's ma