What Is Mastic in Cooking

A lively, refreshing chicken recipe. Mastic is a rare spice that comes from the island of Chios, in Greece. It’s aroma evokes both mint and pine and works wonderfully with citrus and wild herbs, such as sage.

What can I use instead of mastic?

In places where mastic is difficult to find, vanilla is often used as a substitute. Mastic, however, has a unique flavor profile all its own so if you have a recipe that calls for it, you’ll want to use it if you can get a hold of it.

What flavor is mastic?

Mastic is excreted by the resin glands of certain trees and dries into pieces of brittle, translucent resin. When chewed, the resin softens and becomes a bright white and opaque gum. The flavor is bitter at first, but after some chewing, it releases a refreshing flavor similar to pine and cedar.