Adopt a Chios Mastiha Tree
Driven by their love for the island of Chios and its precious trees, Lena Ziglaki and her husband George Konstantelias decided to create their own environmental project.
A project to save old or abandoned Chios mastiha trees and olive trees in South Chios.
Chios mastiha (or mastic) is the natural, aromatic, translucent resin that oozes from the trunk and branches of the mastic tree, forming crystal-like tears.
Since ancient times, mastiha — found exclusively in the southern part of the Greek island of Chios — has been renowned for its medicinal and therapeutic properties as well as its use as an aromatic spice.
Often referred to as one of the oldest superfoods in the world, Chios mastiha is available in different forms including crystal, powder, capsules, oil, and gum.
Scientific research has highlighted its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, digestive, wound-healing, skin regeneration, and oral hygiene benefits.
Chios mastiha is protected by the European Union and UNESCO as a unique product, while the traditional cultivation process has been recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
After years working as an architectural and 3D imaging draughtswoman, Lenia Ziglaki and her husband George Konstantelias, a chief marine engineer, decided to dedicate themselves fully to the cultivation and regeneration of Chios mastiha and olive trees.
Lenia admits the transition was not easy, as agricultural work is demanding and requires year-round care.
The cultivation process includes pruning, enriching the soil, weeding, spreading white clay beneath the trees, carving the bark through the traditional “kentos” process, harvesting the tears, and carefully washing the mastiha by hand.
Having grown up in a family of mastiha growers, Lenia remembers the scent of mastiha filling the family home during the cleaning process and the pride her parents felt when delivering their harvest to the Chios Mastiha Growers Association.
In 2018, Lenia and George began restoring the family’s fields in Mesa Didima, one of the 24 traditional mastiha villages of southern Chios.
Soon, neighboring families entrusted them with abandoned fields so they could once again see their trees cared for and productive.
“It is a very powerful feeling when you see trees taken care of, well-groomed and ready to offer their fruit,” says Lenia. “And the people of Chios value this a lot.”
In 2019, Lenia and George created the project www.adoptchiostrees.gr with the aim of introducing the precious trees of Chios and the culture surrounding them to the world.
Through the project, people from around the globe can adopt a Chios mastiha tree for €60.
Adopters receive a certificate of adoption, 50 grams of natural Chios mastiha, and a personalized photograph of their adopted tree complete with a custom-made wooden name plaque.
Visitors also have the opportunity to travel to Chios, visit their adopted tree, and experience firsthand the unique cultivation cycle of mastiha.
The initiative offers people around the world the opportunity to connect with Chios while helping preserve an ancient cultivation tradition for future generations.
