One of the world's rarest and most special spices is Mastic which only grows on the island of Chios in Greece. The first recorded mention of Mastiha was from Hippocrates, who recommended the resin drops as a natural breath freshener.
 
The people of Chios have been cultivating and producing mastic since the Byzantine era. Mastic gum is an irreplaceable ingredient in many classic Greek, Turkish and Middle Eastern cake, pastry, and bread recipes. Tsoureki, a Greek Easter Bread, and Kaimaki, a Greek ice cream, and Turkish Delights are all made with mastic gum.