Also known as Arabic gum, mastic is the dried sap of the mastic tree. The sap is collected in 'tears', and the dried droplets are commonly ground into a powder to be used in cooking. On its own, mastic has a flavour reminiscent of cedar and pine, and lend a chewy, almost gummy texture to dishes that it's used in.
So, how did our judges do in the mastic blind taste-test?
[Dan] I have to win this. My palette is my everything!
Chios mastic tears. These are usually ground into a powder before they are used. Source: Getty Images/ Tzogia Kappatou
Will any of our judges guess that they're eating mastic? Source: The Chefs' Line
[Melissa] Apparently, so is mine! (laughs)
(What are you tasting? What does it feel like?)
[Melissa] Pine-y. Crunchy
[Dan] Ah! I know, I know
[Melissa] I think I know what it is.
(Boom! All three of you, correct!)
Our judges reveal their guesses... Source: The Chefs' Line
[Melissa] YES!
(Have you had it before?)
[Dan] Yes, in ice cream. It's really good.
[Melissa] Yep, mastic ice cream. In desserts...And you can chew it as a breath freshener.
[Mark] None of these (blind ingredients) are very good on their own.
[Melissa] Can you imagine what's going on in our mouths right now? Can we have a palette cleanser? Some granita?
The Chefs' Line is back for round 2! Home cooks versus restaurant chefs are getting ready to rumble in our kitchen 6pm weeknights starting Monday, August 6 on SBS and then on SBS On Demand. Visit the program page for recipes, videos, cooking tips and more.
