Mastiha production is a family
affair and requires work and attention throughout the whole year. In December,
growers start to fertilize the lentisks, in order to complement the natural fertilization ensured by the
dead leaves of the tree itself. Mid-January and throughout February they prune
lower branches to give a specific shape to the tree and to create passages for the circulation of air and light as well as for
the drying of resin. Before the tree carving process and mastiha’s gathering, the ground around the trunk needs to be free
from other plants. Thus, from mid-June to the beginning of July cleaning and soil leveling take place
so that any mastiha drops that may fall on the ground can be easily gathered.
The cleaning process is done in a “circular” way around the trunk (creating
“tables”); then follow the sweeping of
the scraped soil and its leveling, done with well riddled white soil
powder, which is spread and firmly pressed on the ground to create a smooth
surface. The kentos, as we call the
carving of small scars on the lentisk’s bark, is the most crucial stage in
mastiha production. It begins in July and goes on throughout August, while
sometimes there may be more carvings up until the end of September. With the
help of a small sharp iron tool with grooved ends, called kentitiri,
they make small cuts on the tree’s trunk and main
branches, beginning from the lowest part of the trunk and going up to the
branches. The first gathering is done after the 15th of August. Mastiha starts solidifying within 15-20
days from the first carving. We first gather the larger mastiha chunks, the
co-called pites. The rest is gathered with the help of “brooms” or by hand.
Mastiha is then put into wooden boxes
and stored in cool places where it shall be diligently cleaned in order to
be finally delivered to the cooperative.
Commercial Direction of CMGA
