Harvested exclusively in southern Chios for centuries, this distinctive Greek resin combines a unique sense of place with culinary versatility and growing scientific interest

MONTREAL, Sept. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- From a legendary ingredient collected since ancient times to a versatile addition to the modern kitchen, PDO Chios Mastiha is bringing a distinctive taste of Greece to Canadian consumers. Produced exclusively in Mastichohora, in the southern part of Chios island, Mastiha owes its unique character to the region's particular soil and climate conditions, while its complex natural composition continues to attract scientific interest. Featured through the "Premium European Products: Better Knowledge, Better Choices" campaign, PDO Chios Mastiha offers a compelling story at the intersection of European agricultural heritage, modern food culture and scientific research.

Mastiha is a natural aromatic resin obtained from the evergreen tree known as "Schinos," which belongs to the Pistacia family. Cultivators make superficial scratches on the tree's trunk and main branches using sharp tools, allowing the resin to emerge in drops and fall naturally to the ground. Initially, the resin appears as a sticky, translucent liquid sap. Shaped by the island's summer heat and drought, it solidifies over approximately 15 to 20 days, forming irregular, teardrop-shaped crystals.

The resin is initially clear and slightly yellowish. With exposure to light, it gradually loses its clarity and, within approximately 12 to 18 months, develops a more yellowish hue due to oxidation. Its flavour is equally distinctive and difficult to describe, combining woody, pine and eucalyptus notes with sweet and herbal nuances.

Beyond its flavour, Mastiha is distinguished by its complex composition of more than 80 constituents, including essential oil components and bioactive compounds. According to the Chios Mastiha Growers Association, these compounds contribute to Mastiha's well-known therapeutic and cosmetic properties, while scientific studies have demonstrated beneficial effects including support for digestive health, anti-inflammatory action, antioxidant properties and a contribution to skin repair. Its applications today extend across the food, health and personal-care sectors, reflecting the versatility of this naturally aromatic product.

Mastiha's story is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Chios. It has been collected on the island since ancient times and has been recorded as the first natural chewing gum of the ancient world, traditionally used for teeth cleaning and freshening breath. The know-how surrounding its cultivation has also been included by UNESCO on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing the cultural significance of this longstanding agricultural practice.

A Distinctive Greek Ingredient for the Modern Canadian Kitchen

For Canadians looking to explore new flavours, Mastiha offers a product with a character unlike more familiar pantry staples. Its woody, pine and herbal notes could bring an unexpected twist to classic butter tarts, maple-based desserts or the custard layer of a Nanaimo bar, while also pairing naturally with yogurt, honey, citrus and nuts. In savoury cooking, its aromatic profile could complement roasted poultry, seafood or creamy sauces, offering chefs and adventurous home cooks a distinctive way to introduce a taste of Chios into familiar Canadian dishes.

For retailers, PDO Chios Mastiha presents a distinctive specialty-food proposition: a product with protected geographical origin, centuries of cultural heritage, recognizable production practices and a growing research story. Its unusual flavour profile and broad potential applications can also help introduce consumers to a lesser-known ingredient while adding depth to premium and international food assortments.

The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) further reinforces this connection to place. Production takes place exclusively in Mastichohora and follows the traditional practices that define Chios Mastiha, helping safeguard the product's authenticity and unique characteristics.

For a new generation of Canadian consumers, PDO Chios Mastiha offers more than an unfamiliar ingredient. It is a way to discover the flavours, traditions and agricultural heritage of Chios, while exploring how an ancient product continues to find relevance in contemporary food culture.

From the soils of Chios to the Canadian kitchen, PDO Chios Mastiha is a taste of tradition with a place in the future.

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We invite Canadian food professionals, chefs, retailers, and distributors to explore collaboration opportunities with the "Premium European Products" campaign. For more information on where to find these premium products or to learn how to partner with the campaign, please visit https://premiumeuropeanproducts.eu/, email us to info@premiumeuropeanproducts.eu or follow us on social media:

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ETHEAS and LDC invite Canadian importers, distributors, and foodservice leaders to explore these exceptional European products and form collaborations that support shared goals of quality, transparency, and sustainability.

About "PREMIUM EUROPEAN PRODUCTS" PROGRAM

The campaign: "Premium European Products: Better Knowledge, Better Choices" is co-funded by the European Union and managed by the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS) and the Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC). It aims to promote exquisite added-value products in Canada, South Korea, and Malaysia, including PDO olive oils, table olives, dried grapes, saffron, hard cheese, mastic gum, and mastic oil from Greece, as well as dairy products, candied fruits, chocolates, confectionery, and salty snacks from Latvia. Spanning from 2024 to 2026, the program seeks to significantly elevate the profile of European products in these markets through a four-pronged approach: raising awareness, enhancing recognition among consumers, increasing consumption, and boosting exports to Canada, Malaysia, and South Korea.

The beneficiaries: The National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS), established by the Greek State Law, coordinates over 300 agricultural cooperatives across Greece, representing about 80% of the total turnover of such cooperatives. It focuses on rural and cooperative development, supports member activities domestically and internationally, issues opinions on agricultural matters, supervises cooperative promotion, and conducts educational activities. The Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC), established in 1995, represents Latvian milk producers and aims to protect their interests. It consists of 17 members producing approximately 80% of industrially produced milk in Latvia.

SOURCE Premium European Products Program