In the southern, hilly part of Chios, the dry hot summers allow the “tears” that run from the mastic trees to dry to give a unique gift of nature with a variety of properties, aromatic and medicinal, mastic. For its sake, over the centuries, wars have been fought and privileges granted, villages have been built and thousands of trees have been carved. The precious mastic has travelled everywhere. It entered the rich Roman banquets, the laboratories of Arabic physicians, the monasteries of Franciscan monks, the harems of the Ottomans, the drinks of English nobles and the ‘underbellies’ of Greek cafes and has now become a global trend. Sometimes in crystalline form, sometimes as mastic oil and sometimes as mastic water, i.e. a product of distillation of pure mastic with the help of steam.

The beneficial effects of Chios mastic have been studied in many scientific studies and it has now received official approval as a natural medicine by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The Committee for Herbal Medicinal Products (H.P.M.C.) has classified it in the category of traditional herbal medicines with two therapeutic indications: indigestive disorders as well as anti-inflammatory action and healing of skin wounds.

The tasty and extremely beneficial mastic water

In recent years we have been introduced to Mastiqua, a masticated water based on masticated water, delicious and extremely beneficial, without the addition of sugar or other sweeteners. In fact, the efficacy of Mastiqua masticated water in the management of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) was recently demonstrated in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Specifically, it was found to significantly reduce abdominal pain, abdominal pain, tympanic pain (bloating), discomfort, and gastrointestinal function, while improving quality of life (better performance of daily activities, body image, social relationships and sexual health, and reduction of health anxiety, and food avoidance). At the same time, those who took part in the trial said they enjoyed the taste, aftertaste, aroma and texture of Mastiqua drinks, and would like to continue to consume them after the study is over, as well as recommend them to others.

These delightful drinks that combine the rare properties of Chios mastic with the freshness of sparkling water are suitable for any time of the day. Digestive, tasty and tonic, they accompany lunch and coffee, leaving a feeling of freshness in the mouth. Especially during the holiday season when meals, dinners and invitations are the focus of the days, we will have plenty of opportunities to be delighted with the taste and refreshing bubbles of Mastiqua Sparkling Water with Mastic Water and Mastiqua Sparkling Water with Natural Lemonlime Flavor. With zero calories – zero sugar they manage to win a big bet: they are at the same time pleasant, refreshing and completely free of calories and sugar.

At the holiday table
Rich dishes, elaborate sauces, condiments, seasonings and high fat intake from salty and sweet dishes can leave us feeling satiated and uncomfortable, and Mastiqua is the most pleasant way to deal with it. T he Mastiqua Sparkling Water with Mastic Water and Mastiqua Sparkling Water with Natural Lemonlime Fragrance act as pleasant and light aperitifs, and during meals and dinners they eliminate the feeling of greasiness from the mouth and prepare the stomach for what’s next.

A glass of Mastiqua Sparkling Water with Mastic Water, free of sugar and calories, refreshes the palate with a wave of freshness and soothes the stomach after a heavy meal. Every drop of it condenses the magic of the Eastern Mediterranean and leaves us with a gentle sensation of mastic and mint.

Our other choice is the new and very nice Mastiqua Sparkling Water with natural Lemonlime fragrance, naturally sugar-free and calorie-free, which pleasantly surprises our taste buds with the subtlety of lime. It offers us a lasting pleasure with a mild absinthe and enhances our dining and coffee experience thanks to its refined character.

Both become first-class digestives without alcohol, delicate and digestive, and on outings they give us the opportunity to end the evening in a cool and delicious way.

Light, refreshing, and fragrant, they emerge as the ultimate taste companions of the holidays.