Is mastiha the same as mastic gum? Clearing up the confusion
If you have been researching mastic gum, you have almost certainly encountered several different names: mastic gum, mastiha, mastika, Chios mastic, greek gum. Are these all the same? Mostly yes — but there are some important distinctions worth understanding before you buy.
Mastiha (also spelled mastika) is the Greek word for mastic gum. They refer to the same substance: the natural resin harvested from the mastic tree on the island of Chios, Greece. All YALA products use PDO-certified Chios mastiha.
Mastiha and mastic gum: the same thing
Yes, mastiha is the Greek word for mastic gum. It refers to the same substance: the natural resin harvested from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) on the island of Chios, Greece. The word mastiha comes from the Greek verb mastikhein — to gnash the teeth, or to chew. This is also the root of the English word "masticate." When a product is labeled "mastiha," "Chios mastiha," or "mastic gum," they are all describing this same resin.
Chios mastic vs mastic — an important distinction
"Mastic" as a general term can refer to any of several resins from the genus Pistacia, and occasionally to unrelated plant resins in different languages. "Chios mastic" is more specific — it refers to the PDO-protected resin from the island of Chios only. Always look for PDO-certified Chios mastic when buying, to ensure you are getting the genuine article with the documented health properties. Why this matters: How to spot authentic Chios mastic gum
Mastika liqueur — a common source of confusion
Mastika is also the name of a Greek liqueur flavored with Chios mastic resin. This is a different product from mastic gum — a drinkable spirit, not a chewing product — but it uses the same resin as a flavoring ingredient. When you see "mastiha" in a food or drink context, check whether it is referring to the chewing resin, a liqueur, or a flavoring in another food product. Full story: What is mastiha liqueur? Mastic beyond the gum
Other terms you might see
- Chios gum / greek gum: Informal terms referencing Greek origin. Essentially interchangeable with "Chios mastic."
- Mastic resin: The same substance described in terms of its material form. Used in cosmetics, varnish, and pharmaceutical contexts.
- Gum mastic: An older English form of the name used in historical and pharmaceutical texts. Same substance.
- Mastix: The Latin and German form of the name. Same product.
How to make sure you are buying the real thing
Look for "PDO Chios mastic" or the EU's PDO certification seal on the product. YALA uses PDO-certified Chios mastiha in all three of its flavors — Natural, Cool Mint, and Wild Berry. This guarantees geographic authenticity and quality standards set by the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association — the cooperative that has managed mastic production since 1938.
Is mastiha gum the same as mastic used in cooking?
Yes — the resin used in cooking (for flavoring pastries, ice cream, and bread) is the same substance as what is chewed as mastic gum. The application differs but the product is identical.
Why is it spelled differently in different places?
The variations — mastiha, mastika, mastikha, mastix — are transliterations from the Greek alphabet into the Latin alphabet. There is no single standardized spelling, so all forms are correct representations of the Greek original.
Is mastic gum from Turkey the same as from Chios?
No. Turkey produces a related resin sometimes marketed as mastic, but it does not carry PDO certification and has a different chemical profile. Authentic Chios mastic is legally protected to the island of Chios in Greece only.
What does PDO certification actually guarantee?
PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) is the highest level of geographic food protection in the EU — the same as Champagne and Parmigiano-Reggiano. It guarantees the product comes from Chios and meets the quality standards of the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association. Full explanation: Chios mastiha PDO — why the protected origin status matters.
All YALA products use PDO-certified Chios mastiha
Natural · Cool Mint · Wild Berry · Zero sugar
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