Why is Mastic Gum Sometimes Soft and Sometimes Hard?
Ondřej DvořákIf you've ever opened a jar of mastic gum and found resin tears that were either rock-hard or soft and rubbery — don't worry, it's completely natural. Mastic is a 100% natural resin from the Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia tree and simply reacts to temperature, humidity and freshness.
The same applies to powdered mastic gum in capsules — especially Mastic Strong&Pure, which contains no anti-caking agents or additives. The capsule holds pure mastic gum powder of the highest quality, which can be just as sensitive to humidity and heat as the crystals themselves.
What affects mastic gum tears hardness?
- Size of the tear — smaller tears dry and harden faster, larger ones often remain soft inside.
- Temperature — heat softens mastic, cold hardens it.
- Freshness — freshly harvested mastic gum is soft, aromatic and elastic; over time it naturally hardens.
- Natural variation — each tear is unique and may have a different consistency.
Why do crystals (or powder in capsules) sometimes clump together?
Clumping mostly occurs with larger, softer tears — especially when stored in heat, humidity or light. The tears naturally stick together. Don't worry: this isn't a defect but a natural feature of a pure resin without chemical treatment.
The same can happen with capsules filled with pure mastic gum powder — particularly in stronger formulas like Mastic Strong&Pure. If exposed to heat or moisture, the powder can harden or clump. This does not affect the effectiveness — it's still genuine Chios mastic.
How to prevent clumping?
- Store mastic gum and capsules in the fridge — a cool temperature preserves consistency and freshness.
- Avoid moisture — keep jars tightly closed and away from steam or humid places.
- Protect from light and heat — sunlight and warmth accelerate softening and sticking.
What if the tears or capsules are already clumped?
No worries. Simply crush the resin — using a mortar, spice grinder or even the back of a spoon. The powder can be added to water or yogurt, or taken as is.
With capsules it's the same — if the powder inside has hardened, open the capsule and crush the contents. The effect remains the same — it's still 100% pure, high-quality mastic.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What affects mastic gum tears hardness? |
|
| Why do crystals or powder in capsules sometimes clump together? | Clumping occurs with larger, softer tears or powder when exposed to heat, humidity or light. It's a natural property of pure mastic resin and does not affect quality or effectiveness. |
| How to prevent clumping? |
|
| What if the tears or capsules are already clumped? | Simply crush the resin or powder using a mortar, spice grinder or spoon. The flavour and effectiveness are unchanged. |
