Masticha Resin Production - ΠΑΡΑΓΩΓΗ ΜΑΣΤΙΧΑΣ

This video was shot at Pirgi village, in Chios island, Greece. Mr. George and Maria Mouchlas describe how they produce the masticha resin.
The collection of the masticha resin (by scratching the trunk of the masticha tree and collecting the chunks along with the masticha bits, or by picking up fallen masticha bits from the ground) takes place all year round, but it is preferable from the middle of July until the middle of September, when the weather is cooler but the rains haven't started yet. The collection starts every day at 4 o'clock in the morning because as the day proceeds and it gets warmer, masticha, due to its oily consistency, might melt, therefore it can't be collected from the tree or the ground around the tree. The same problem happens if it rains.
After the masticha is collected, tree chunks are separated with the use of flour, the masticha gets cleaned, sifted so that any tree chunk remains go away and then washed so that it is cleaned again. There may also be some thicker pieces of masticha, which are put into large boxes and left under the sun to desiccate.
Mr.Mouchlas also explains the procedure that is followed in order for the masticha to be sold after its elaboration and also how the circumstances have changed since the beginning of crisis in Greece.
Βιντεοσκόπηση: Δ.Τσελίκα