Mastic - a PDO Product

In short: “Chios Mastic” is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) — an EU quality label that, since 1997, legally reserves the name for mastic produced on the island of Chios. The raw resin (Μαστιχα Χίου, PDO-GR-1558) and the mastic oil (Μαστιχέλαιο Χίου, PDO-GR-1559) are the registered PDO products — which is what protects you from imitations when buying authentic Chios mastic.

The uniqueness of Chios mastic is confirmed by the protection of its geographical indication under European Union law. The Protected Designation of Origin helps you orient yourself when buying original mastic and protects you from imitations of this unique resin.

What does PDO mean?

A Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) ties a unique product to a specific geographical area. The quality and character of a PDO product come from the exclusivity of that environment — the natural and cultural factors of a clearly defined region. In practice, a product can only carry the protected name if it is genuinely produced in that place, the way it has always been made.

For Chios mastic, that defined region is Mastichochoria, the mastic-growing villages in the south of the island of Chios, where the resin is still cultivated and harvested by hand.

Chios mastic has been PDO since 1997

Since 1997, “Chios Mastic” has been registered as a Protected Designation of Origin in the European Union (Regulation No. 123/1997). Two products from Chios hold their own PDO registration:

You can find both entries in the European Commission’s official geographical indications register.

What the PDO covers — and what it doesn’t

The PDO seal belongs to the raw, unprocessed product: the mastic resin, the tears and the mastic oil from Chios. That is the part the European Union legally protects.

How to recognise authentic Chios mastic

The PDO label exists precisely so you can shop with confidence. When buying, check that the raw resin or oil is described as a product of Chios and carries the PDO designation. For a full checklist — appearance, aroma, origin and packaging — see our guide on how to recognise an original mastic.

Choose your Chios mastic tears

The PDO-protected resin comes in three crystal sizes. It is the same authentic Chios mastic in every box — the difference is the size of the tears and the experience you are after.

New to mastic? A smaller 10 g medium starter pack is an easy way to try it first. Browse every size in the raw mastic collection.

Frequently asked questions

Prefer your daily mastic in a capsule? Our food supplements are made from the same authentic Chios mastic — and support the normal function of the digestive system.