Why are they called the tears of Chios?

By legend, the trees began to weep mastic after Saint Isidore of Chios was martyred in 251 AD, so the resin droplets became known as tears.

What actually are mastic tears?

They are the natural resin of the Chios mastic tree, which drips out and hardens into small crystalline droplets.

Only on Chios does the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) yield resin in this quality, thanks to the island's climate, soil and variety.

The Legend of the Chios "Tears". What Does the Legend Say? Why Do Trees "Weep"?

In short: mastic is the resin of the mastic tree — and the Chios variety is unlike any other. Legend ties the "weeping" trees to Saint Isidore of Chios, martyred in 251 AD; today the resin droplets are still known as the "tears of Chios".

Nowhere else in the world is mastic quite like it is on the Greek island of Chios. But why are the resin droplets called "tears" — and why do the trees "weep"?

Legend has it that…

The story of the "weeping" trees dates back to 251 AD, when Saint Isidore of Chios was martyred.

Saint Isidore of Chios

He was a Roman naval soldier who, while on the island, confided to his commander that he was a Christian. He refused to renounce his faith and was beheaded.

The tears of mastic

After his death — so the legend goes — the trees in the south of Chios began to "weep" mastic. Hence the name: the "tears" of Chios.

Mastic tears — resin droplets on a Chios mastic tree

And the science?

In reality, the "tears" are the natural resin that the Chios mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) produces and that hardens into small crystalline droplets. Read more in what is mastic gum and about the mastic tree.

Chios tears — legend & science

Legend: the trees "weep" mastic after Saint Isidore of Chios was martyred in 251 AD.
Science: the tears are resin naturally produced by Chios mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia).
Form: the resin hardens into small crystalline droplets — the "mastic tears".

FAQ

Question	Answer
Why are they called the "tears of Chios"?	By legend, the trees began to "weep" mastic after Saint Isidore of Chios was martyred in 251 AD — so the resin droplets became known as "tears".
What actually are mastic tears?	They are the natural resin of the Chios mastic tree, which drips out and hardens into small crystalline droplets.
Why only on Chios?	Only on Chios does the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) yield resin in this quality, thanks to the island's climate, soil and variety.