Masseter hypertrophy is the thickening of the fibers in this muscle from months or even years of overloading. Chewing gum on a Mastiha or mastic? The naming confusion, settled: they’re the same resin. Mastiha is the Greek name, and mastic is the English one. Both describe the hardened sap of the mastic tree, and the stuff in a tin labeled “mastiha” and a tin labeled as the “mastic gum” can be identical.
By Carl J., Owner · Last updated October 21, 2026
What is the mastiha meaning in Greek?
The mastiha word meaning in Greek is just the word “mastic”-the resin in the first place. In fact, the word is μαστίχα and they use this form for the raw “tears”, for the flavor- the liqueur made of it.
Go back a little deeper and the word becomes fascinating, for it is related to an ancient Greek verb that means to grind the teeth (or chew, for which English has masticate). So if you’re asking what does mastiha actually mean, then the truthful response would be something along the lines of “the chewing stuff”. Not surprising at all.
A brief note on the pronunciation, since one asks how do you say mastiha more often than not. The Greeks will put the stress on the center syllable, about mah-STEE-kha, with a soft, fricative “kh” sound. We cover the details in the FAQ below, and our earlier post on Chios mastiha gum goes deeper into where the word started.
How does masseter muscle growth happen in the fibeHow did the Greek name for mastic become “mastic” in English?
The Mastic was initially referred to by its Greek name, which was subsequently adopted by the Latin and French languages, from which it entered England, shedding its ending to become mastic in both languages. The Latin writers used such variants of the words as mastix and mastiche, while the French shortened the words to mastic. The English borrowed the word from the French.
That’s why you will still see the Latin forms in official documents. The European Medicines Agency’s entry on mastic as a herbal substance lists it under the botanical name Pistacia lentiscus and the Latin label Pistaciae lentisci resina. Pharmacists, regulators, and old botany books all lean on the Latin.
Meanwhile, Greek kept its own word. And since the best-known source sits on a Greek island, sellers ended up using both names side by side. UNESCO does the same thing. Its listing for the know-how of cultivating mastic on Chios uses “mastic” and “mastiha” in the very same description.
Which spellings and labels refer to the same resin?
Mastiha, masticha, mastic, mastic gum, and gum mastics are different names for the same thing: a resins. The differences is that Greek letters don’t usually correspond to English letters, so the χ in the middle.
Here’s a cheat sheet for mastic terminology you’ll run into:
| Term | Where it comes from | Where you’ll see it |
| Mastiha | Greek, spelled out in English letters | Greek brands, recipes, travel writing |
| Masticha | Another way to write the Greek χ | Official origin names and older labels |
| Mastic | English, via Latin and French | Science papers, product listings |
| Mastic gum | English retail name | Online shops and supplement sites |
| Gum mastic | Older English phrasing | Pharmacy and historical sources |
| Mastix | Latin | Pharmacopeias and regulatory documents |
You’ll also spot mastikha and mastixa now and then. Same thing. Different person typing it.
What do other languages call mastiha?
Other languages mostly used a version of “mastic,” though a few name the resin after the tree instead. That’s a big part of why searches pull up so many different words for the same tears.
A few you might see on imported packages:
- French: mastic, the same word English took.
- Spanish and Italian: the tree is called lentisco, so the resin is often described as lentisk resin.
- Turkish: sakız, which is also the everyday word for chewing gum.
- Arabic: usually mistika or mastika, a close cousin of the Greek.
The EMA’s herbal entry lists several of these side by side, which shows how even regulators juggle the names. On Chios itself, the word runs deep. The cluster of southern villages that grow the trees are known as the Mastichochoria, which roughly means “the mastic villages.”
So when a jar from a Middle Eastern grocer says mistika and your tin says mastiha, you’re probably looking at the same resin. The one thing the name can’t tell you is whether it actually came from Chios. That part you still have to check.
What is mastiha gum, and what isn’t it?
The mastiha gum is the natural resins that comes out of the trees and is hardened into tears. This products is chewed in its natural form. It is brittle when it is first taken but starts to soften after a minute or two, forming into a pine-scented gum.
When people are asking what is mastiha gum, they sometimes conflate it with a few different things that share its name:
- Mastic adhesive. Tile mastic and asphalt mastic are construction products. They borrowed the name because the original resin was once used as a sealant and varnish. Don’t chew these.
- Mastic varnish. Painters have used resin-based varnishes called mastic for centuries. Again, not food.
- Mastiha-flavored products. Candies, gums, and drinks that list mastiha as a flavor may contain only a small amount of real resin.
- Lentisk resin from elsewhere. Mastic trees grow throughout the Mediterranean region, but the resin known as Chios mastiha comes from a particular variety on the island of Chios.
That’s really the difference between mastiha and mastic gum in everyday shopping. The words match. What’s in the package might not. Our Small Tears tin, for example, is pure Chios resin, nothing blended in.
Why does the label matter more than the name?
The label matters more because the name tells you nothing about where the resin came from or how it was handled. “Mastiha” sounds more authentic, sure. But any seller can print it.
What actually helps you judge a product:
- Origin. Does it say Chios specifically, not just “Greek” or “Mediterranean”?
- Protected origin. Chios mastic carries an EU protected designation, so look for the official origin wording.
- Producer or packer. A real company name you can look up.
- Form. Raw tears, melted, or powdered, since each chews differently.
Another sign of a scam is the price. The product is handmade, one drop at a time. A bag with several drops for a few dollars sounds suspicious. If the listing mentions the Greek root, but most of the above criteria are missing, this should raise some suspicion. We break down the warning signs in our guide to authentic Chios mastic gum.
Frequently asked questions
1. Mastiha vs mastic explained
Mastiha and mastic are the two names for one resin. Mastiha the Greek word, while mastic the English word that came through Latin and French. You’ll see both on genuine Chios products, and neither one is more correct than the other.
2. Is mastiha the same as mastic?
Yes, mastiha is the same as the mastics. Both of them refers to the resins from the mastic tree, Pistacia lentiscus. The only real exception is when the “mastic” is used for construction adhesives or art varnish, which are unrelated products.
3. How is it pronounced?
Mastiha is pronounced mah-STEE-kha, with stress on the middle syllable. The “kh” is a soft, breathy sounds, a bit like the end of the Scottish word “loch.” Plenty of English speaker say the mas-TEE-ha or mas-TEE-ka instead, and the people will still know what you mean.
4. Why two names?
English adopted the word via Latin and French while Greek retained the older term. As the island of Chios is the premier producer, traders use both the anglicized and Greek versions. Some prefer the Greek name for authenticity while others use the anglo version because it’s more commonly searched.
5. Which term do sellers use?
Most English sellers use ‘mastic gum’ as it’s the most common search. Greek producers and specialty sellers may use ‘masticha’. Many sellers (including us) use both terms so you can find products using either name.
6. Does the name signal quality?
Not necessarily. A product labeled mastiha could be a blend and one labeled mastic gum could be pure Chios resin. The origin and producer details (not just the word on the label) will give more information about the product’s provenance and quality.
7. Is “gum mastic” a different product?
Gum mastic is simply an older term for mastic gum. You’ll find it in some pharmacological references and historical documents.
8. Is mastic tile adhesive related to mastic gum?
They share a name only. Modern construction adhesives were named after the old resin sealant, but they are entirely different products. They are not fit for human consumption and should not be chewed.
Where can you buy pure Chios mastiha?
You can buy pure Chios mastiha straight from the Titans Jaw shop. Every tin is 100% natural Chios resin, whether you call it mastiha or mastic. Pick your tear size in our mastic gum shop, or send us a question through our contact page.
Titans Jaw
Email: support@titansjaw.us (replies within 24 hours on business days)
Product: Pure Chios mastic gum in small tears, medium tears and melted form
Shipping: Continental United States, with free standard shipping on orders over $50
Shop online: titansjaw.us
This article is general information, not medical or dental advice. If you have jaw pain or a jaw condition, please speak with a dentist or doctor.
