he mastic tree () is a dense perennial growing to about five metres over 40 to 50 years, with a lifecycle of about 100 years. The resin is secreted in droplets or “tears”, being also called the “tears of Chios”. When secreted it dries into a brittle, translucent resin that on being chewed softens and becomes a white gum. Initially the flavour is bitter, but on chewing it becomes refreshing and tastes like pine or cedar. The resin production begins in the tree’s fifth year, reaching a maximum yield of
