Small tears mastic gum is the smallest grade of pure Chios mastiha resin. It is also the most affordable of the three grades. The resin is identical to medium and large tears, just in smaller pieces. So it is the best value way to get authentic Greek mastic for chewing or cooking.
By Carl J., Owner · Last updated August 20, 2026
Have you already decided small tears are for you? Want the full rundown on chewing and baking? Our guide to Chios mastic gum small tears covers that in detail. This post focuses instead on the practical buying questions. How big are the pieces? Are they the same quality as pricier grades? And why do they cost less?
What are small tears in mastic gum?
Mastic gum, or mastiha, is a natural aromatic resin. It seeps from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) after growers score the bark by hand. The sap drips and hardens in the sun into small, crystal-shaped drops called tears. Then growers clean the tears and sort them by size. Small tears are simply the smallest pieces from that sort.
Because they are small, each piece warms and softens fast. It becomes a smooth gum within a minute or two of chewing. Titans Jaw small tears are 100 percent pure Chios mastiha, lab-tested. They are a single ingredient, with no sugar, no synthetic flavors, and no fillers.
How big are small mastic gum tears?
Mastiha is a hand-sorted natural product, so exact sizes vary from piece to piece. Still, small tears are generally only a few millimeters across. A useful mental picture is a lentil or a small peppercorn. Some pieces are a touch smaller, like coarse grains. Others approach the size of a petite pea.
For comparison, medium tears are noticeably chunkier, closer to a chickpea. Large tears, meanwhile, are the biggest and most uniform pieces of the harvest. That size difference is the entire distinction between the grades. It changes how the resin feels and how fast it softens. However, it does not change the resin itself.
Are small tears the same resin as large tears?
Yes. This is the most important thing to understand about grades. Small, medium, and large tears all come from the same trees. They grow on the same part of the same island. Growers sort them by size after harvest, not by quality. So the purity, the aroma, and the flavor are identical across every grade.
So a smaller piece is not a lower grade of mastiha. Once you chew it or grind it, size stops mattering entirely. You get the exact same Chios resin either way. It makes no difference whether the piece started lentil-sized or chickpea-sized.
Why are small tears cheaper than large tears?
The price difference comes down to how the harvest is sorted and what the market prizes. When cultivators clean the resin, they select the largest whole tears first. Those big, clean, uniform crystals are the rarest part of any harvest, so they carry the highest price and are often kept as premium display grade.
Smaller pieces are far more plentiful, which is exactly why they cost less. The saving reflects abundance and appearance, not a drop in quality. That is what makes small tears the smart value pick for everyday use. You pay less for resin that performs identically to the premium grade once it is in your mouth or your mortar. Titans Jaw prices its small tears at 19.99 dollars, just under the rarer medium tears, and both are the same pure Chios mastiha.
Are small tears good for chewing?
Yes, and comfortably so. Small tears are the gentlest grade to chew because they soften quickly, which is why they suit beginners and anyone who wants an easy daily chew rather than a jaw workout. Chewing raw mastic naturally stimulates saliva, which helps freshen breath and rinse the mouth, a use that goes back thousands of years.
Start with one or two pieces, let them warm briefly, then chew for about 10 to 20 minutes as they soften. A Titans Jaw tin holds roughly 56 servings, about a 4- to 8-week supply at one serving a day. If your main goal is jaw and masseter training rather than an easy chew, the firmer medium tears hold their resistance longer and are the better fit.
How to store small tear mastic gum
Storage is simple, and the resin keeps well. Keep the tears in their closed tin or an airtight jar, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. There is no need to refrigerate them.
Two small habits help. Keep the container sealed between uses so the resin does not pick up moisture or other kitchen aromas, and avoid leaving the tin somewhere warm like a sunny windowsill or a hot car, since heat can make the pieces soften or stick together. Stored properly, small tears hold their aroma and texture for a long time.
Frequently asked questions
What are small tears in mastic gum? Small tears are the smallest size grade of Chios mastiha resin. They are little pieces, only a few millimeters across, that soften quickly into a smooth gum, which makes them comfortable to chew and easy to grind for cooking.
Is small tear mastic gum the same resin as large tears? Yes. Small, medium, and large tears are all the same pure Chios mastiha from the same trees, sorted only by size after harvest. Purity, aroma, and flavor are identical across every grade.
Are small tears good for chewing? Yes. They are the gentlest grade to chew because they soften fast, making them ideal for beginners and for anyone who wants a smooth daily chew rather than a demanding jaw workout.
Why are small tears cheaper? Because they are the most plentiful grade. The largest whole tears are the rarest and most prized, so they cost the most, while smaller pieces are more abundant and cost less. The resin itself is the same quality.
How should I store small tear mastic gum? Keep it in a closed tin or airtight jar in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. It does not need refrigeration, and stored this way, the resin holds its aroma and texture for a long time.
About Titans Jaw
Titans Jaw offers 100 percent pure Chios mastic gum in small and medium tear grades, lab-tested for purity with no fillers or additives. Small tears are the affordable everyday grade, while medium tears are the firmer cut for jaw training. You can see both in the shop and on the small tears product page.
