Mastic Afghanistan

Mastic of Afghanistan —

Pistacia terebinthus

Mastic of Afghanistan is a natural aromatic resin obtained from the terebinth, Pistacia terebinthus, a tree in the pistachio family appreciated since ancient times for the resins it produces. This material comes in small hardened tears and irregularities, with a fresh, green, and deeply resinous aroma, accompanied by balsamic, woody, slightly bitter nuances, and a characteristic terpenic facet reminiscent of fresh sap and conifer branches.

It is a very versatile material for natural perfumery, tinctures, and incense. It can be crushed and macerated in alcohol to make an aromatic tincture, capable of adding green, balsamic, woody, and resinous notes to a composition. It works especially well with oud, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, frankincense, labdanum, cedar, and other aromatic materials of a dry or woody character.

As incense, it can be used alone or as part of blends. When heated, it first releases a fresh and penetrating aroma of resin and green vegetation, which progressively transforms into warmer notes of wood, balm, and dry resin. Its luminous character also allows it to provide contrast to darker blends made with myrrh, benzoin, agarwood, or sandalwood.

Terebinth has a very long history around the Mediterranean and the Middle East, where its resins have been valued as aromatic materials and traditionally received names related to terebinth, turpentine, and mastic. This Afghan resin offers an especially interesting expression of that ancient aromatic family: fresh, dry, balsamic, and with a marked natural personality.

Botanical name: Pistacia terebinthus L.
Origin: Afghanistan
Part used: natural resin
Use: perfumery · tinctures · incense
Aromatic profile: green · resinous · balsamic · woody · terpenic · slightly bitter