Other Names of Mastic

In short: Mastic gum is the resin of the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). Because it has been traded across cultures for thousands of years, it goes by many names — in Greek it is “μαστίχα” (mastícha), and elsewhere you’ll see Mastix, mastic, “Tears of Chios” and more.

“μαστίχα” in Greek

The mastic resin is called “μαστίχα” (mastícha) in Greek. The word is the root of the English verb “to masticate” (to chew) — a nod to mastic’s history as the world’s first natural chewing gum.

Other names of mastic gum around the world

Name / term Language / origin
μαστίχα (mastícha) Greek
Mastíchē, mastiche Greek (Latinized) / Latin
Mastix German / Latin
Mastixharz German (“mastic resin”)
Mastic, mastic gum English
Tears of Chios English (descriptive)
Ancient chewing gum English (descriptive)
Mastic French
Mastice Italian
Almáciga, mástique Spanish
Masticha Czech / Slovak
Mastyks Polish
Mastiek Dutch
Masztix Hungarian
Мастика (мастичная смола) Russian
Damla sakızı, sakız Turkish
مستكة (mastika) Arabic
洋乳香 (yáng rǔxiāng) Chinese
Màstic Catalan
Chios mastic resin under the tree

Frequently asked questions

What is mastic called in Greek?

In Greek, mastic is “μαστίχα” (mastícha). The mastic of Chios is “Μαστίχα Χίου”.

What does “Tears of Chios” mean?

It is a poetic name for mastic: the resin drips from the tree and hardens into teardrop-shaped “tears” on the island of Chios.

What is mastic called in Arabic and Turkish?

In Arabic it is مستكة (mastika), and in Turkish it is “damla sakızı” (literally “drop gum”).

Are “mastiha”, “mastix” and “mastic” the same thing?

Yes — they are all names for the same natural resin from the mastic tree, just in different languages.

Whatever you call it, the real thing comes from Chios. Try authentic mastic tears.

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