Mastic!

[supersprout]

When I spent time in Greece I used to buy mastic for biscuits and breads. It was a gum of some kind, slightly opaque like quartz, and came in crumbly packets. Has anyone heard of it or used it in baking - do you know where I could find it in the UK? Feel a bikkie urge coming on

[Earthbabe]

Did you use it as a stabiliser/emulsifier SS? I've heard of gum mastic being used as a fixative in pot pourri blends but never in cooking. Intrigued. Have you tried Xanthan Gum instead, available in Tescos/healthfood shops etc.

[supersprout]

Thank you earthbabe, it's a pungent gum, like asafoetida, not the purely emulsifying kind. A very special taste!

Of course you got me googling and ta-daaaa! Wikipedia has details of what it is, where it grows, and how to use it!

Now going googling in delis to see if someone stocks it online. Thank you for the nudge!

[nick the grief]

the only mastic I know is used for sealing windows

[Earthbabe]

I presume this is the same stuff listed at the top.

http://www.baldwins.co.uk/perl/go.pl/shop/shop.html

Seems rather expensive for cooking with though.

[Snadger]

the only mastic I know is used for sealing windows

Beat me to it Nic!

[Snadger]

Beat me to it Nic!

Or Bitu..........mastic?

[supersprout]

He he he well you do use it in tiny amounts in cooking earthbabe, like salt! Well done finding it. It looks like I'd have to sponge off friends visiting Greece, either that or go to a US distributor who will send me a little jar. On the wait list

[Earthbabe]

No probs SS

If I find it any cheaper I'll let you know.

[smallblueplanet]

A guy on ebay sells the stuff from Chios

Mastic

not cheap though.

[supersprout]

Thank you sbp, you're a star!
Bought a packet - it will go a loooong way, and the crystals last a long time

[nuhalatif]

Hallo everyone & about the mastic

Hi everyone, Im new lovely community.
The mastica (dont know what it is exactly) can be found in shepherds bush market,w12. We use it in biscuits and cakes too, and we crumble it into a powder and sprinkle on hot coals gives a beautiful aroma.It is also used in perfumes and used as a natural deodrant. Never used it in cooking savoury though.

[braders]

Thank you earthbabe, it's a pungent gum, like asafoetida, not the purely emulsifying kind. A very special taste!

Of course you got me googling and ta-daaaa! Wikipedia has details of what it is, where it grows, and how to use it!

Now going googling in delis to see if someone stocks it online. Thank you for the nudge!

Just stumbled on this thread...I use mastic oil from time to time in my job as a lab tech. It is sometimes used in perfumery compounds, which I blend daily. It is a very pungent, dirty looking substance, a bit liker asafoetida, but not as pickled oniony...thats the only way I can describe it. I use possibly every known herb, spice and essential oil on the market today, so if anyone wants any advice, I will do my best to help...30 plus years in the industry rubs off on you.

Cheers
braders...

[alldigging]

Is it the thing they put in that special easter bread? My greek friend was telling me about it...

[Thelma Sanders]

yes! along with mahlepi (AKA mahleb) it's used in Tsoureki and Koulourakia biscuits