Chios: Greece's Best Kept Secret
Tucked away in the northeastern Aegean, closer to Turkey than to mainland Greece, the island of Chios is a world apart from its better-known Cycladic cousins. Rich in history, this often-overlooked gem has been inhabited since the Neolithic era. Civilisations have come and gone, each leaving their imprint; an architectural palimpsest that unfolds across medieval villages, Genoese fortresses, and grand Byzantine monasteries. But it’s true treasure lies in something far more delicate: the legendary mastíha, or mastic.
Exclusive to the island’s southern reaches, mastic is a rare resin harvested from the Pistacia lentiscus tree. For centuries, islanders have carefully collected these precious ‘tears’ of resin, which harden into shimmering droplets under the Mediterranean sun. Renowned for its medicinal properties, mastíha has been used since antiquity as a natural chewing gum, revered for strengthening teeth and soothing the digestive system.
But this Aegean elixir is far more than a health remedy. Its unmistakable aroma (subtly pine-like with hints of vanilla) infuses everything from liqueurs and artisanal chocolates to ice cream, coffee, and even skincare. The locals refer to it as ‘diamond mastic,’ a nod to both its value and rarity. It has also played a vital role in the art world: from the famed Fayum portraits of ancient Egypt to Rembrandt’s luminous canvases, mastic resin has long been used to preserve and enhance pigments.
For an immersive experience, venture to the medieval Mastihohoria, the fortified ‘mastic villages’ that once protected this prized resin from pirates and invaders. The newly opened Mastic Museum, near the volcanic shores of Mavra Volia, offers a deep dive into the island’s unique resin economy, tracing its journey from ancient trade routes to contemporary markets.
Chios remains a place of quiet wonder, to visit is to step into a world where time slows, history whispers through stone walls, and nature’s rarest gifts are still harvested by hand. The island may sit further afield than Greece’s more trodden paths, but for those in search of the extraordinary, that is precisely its allure.
Visit us at our Sloane Square boutique to sample some mastic gum collected by Cassandra on her travels to Chios.
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