Mastic (mastiha) is the aromatic resin tapped from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia), an evergreen shrub of the cashew family. Bled as a milky sap that hardens into pale, brittle "tears," it carries a clean pine-cedar aroma and is chewed as a natural gum and used to flavour breads, sweets, liqueurs and ice cream.