How to store mastic gum properly to maximize freshness and potency

September 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to manufacturers, improper storage is one of the leading causes of mastic gum losing its beneficial properties and texture. Properly storing this unique, all-natural resin is essential to maintain its integrity, flavor, and therapeutic compounds. Learning how to store mastic gum correctly ensures you get the maximum value and benefit from your investment, protecting it from moisture, heat, and light.

Quick Summary

Store mastic gum in an airtight container within a cool, dry, and dark environment, such as the refrigerator, to prevent oxidation and melting. This method helps preserve the gum's hardness, potent flavor, and overall therapeutic quality over a long period.

Key Points

Use an Airtight Container: Store all forms of mastic gum in a sealed, airtight jar or tin to prevent exposure to air and moisture.
Refrigerate for Best Results: For maximum freshness and to prevent clumping (especially with powder), refrigerate your mastic gum.
Avoid Heat: High temperatures cause the resin to soften, melt, and clump together, so keep it away from radiators, sunny windowsills, and hot cars.
Protect from Light: Store mastic gum in a dark place, as sunlight accelerates the oxidation process, diminishing its potency and flavor.
Keep It Dry: Ensure your storage area is dry, as excess humidity can also degrade the quality of the resin over time.
Check for Oxidation: Look for signs of oxidation, like a yellowish color, which indicates a gradual loss of freshness.

Why Proper Mastic Gum Storage is Crucial

Mastic gum, also known as "Tears of Chios," is a natural resin harvested from the mastic tree native to the Mediterranean. Because it is an unprocessed, natural product, it is highly sensitive to environmental factors like temperature, moisture, and light. Improper storage can lead to several problems:

Melting and Clumping: High temperatures can cause the delicate mastic tears to melt and stick together, creating a large, unusable lump.
Loss of Potency: Exposure to air and sunlight accelerates oxidation, which can diminish the gum's unique aroma, fresh pine flavor, and therapeutic properties over time.
Moisture Damage: Humidity can soften the tears prematurely or, in the case of mastic powder, cause it to clump and harden.
Contamination: Without a proper airtight seal, the gum can absorb odors or contaminants from its environment.

Protecting your mastic gum ensures it remains in its optimal state for chewing and consumption, delivering its intended benefits effectively.

Storing Raw Mastic Tears: The Best Practices

For most people who buy mastic gum in its natural tear or crystal form, proper storage is relatively straightforward, yet critical.

Choose an Airtight Container

Transferring the gum from its original, often less-than-ideal packaging into a truly airtight container is the first step.

Glass Jars: A small, tinted glass jar with a tight-fitting lid is an excellent choice, as it is non-reactive and helps block light.
Specialty Tins: Some high-quality mastic gum comes in a reusable tin, which can be effective if it has a secure seal.
Vacuum-Sealed Bags: For long-term storage of large quantities, vacuum-sealing can offer the best protection against air.

Find a Cool, Dark, and Dry Location

This is the most important rule for preserving the resin.

Refrigerator: A drawer in the refrigerator is an ideal location. The consistent, low temperature prevents melting, especially in warmer climates or during summer months. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture and odors from entering.
Pantry or Cupboard: If you live in a cool climate and use the gum frequently, a dark pantry or cupboard away from heat sources (like ovens or radiators) is suitable. The temperature should consistently stay below 75°F (24°C).
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Never store mastic gum on a windowsill or in direct sunlight, as UV rays degrade the resin and heat can cause it to soften or melt.

Storing Mastic Gum Capsules or Powder

Mastic gum is also available in powder form, often sold inside capsules or sachets. This form requires a slightly different approach to storage to prevent clumping.

Use the Refrigerator Exclusively

Due to its finely ground nature, mastic powder is extremely prone to clumping when exposed to even moderate heat or humidity.

Always Refrigerate: Store capsules and sachets in the refrigerator.
Keep Sealed: Keep the blister pack or original packaging sealed until you are ready to use it.
Tap to Loosen: If clumping occurs, simply tap the container or crush the capsule gently between your fingers to break up the powder. This doesn't harm the product; it is just a natural reaction to temperature fluctuations.

Comparison of Storage Methods


Storage Method	Best For	Pros	Cons
Refrigerator	All forms, especially powder and during summer	Prevents melting and clumping, minimizes oxidation, extends shelf life significantly	Must be in an airtight container to avoid moisture/odors, may be too cold for immediate chewing
Cool, Dark Pantry	Raw tears in temperate climates	Convenient, easily accessible, sufficient for short-term use	Not ideal for warm environments, higher risk of oxidation than refrigeration

Avoiding Common Storage Mistakes

Pocket Storage: Avoid carrying mastic gum in your pants or shirt pocket for extended periods. Your body heat can cause the gum to become soft and sticky, potentially melting through its packaging.
Car Storage: Never leave mastic gum in your car, especially on hot days. Vehicle interiors can reach extreme temperatures that will quickly turn the tears into a gooey mess.
Leaving It Open: Always reseal your container or package immediately after taking a piece. Exposure to air is a primary culprit of degradation.

Extending the Shelf Life of Your Mastic

While mastic gum is naturally resilient, its quality can decline over years. Following these practices can help you get the most out of your purchase:

First In, First Out (FIFO): If you purchase mastic gum in bulk, use the older packs first.
Monitor Appearance: Keep an eye on the gum's color. Fresh mastic is typically white or slightly off-white. As it oxidizes, it can turn a more yellowish or golden hue. While not harmful, this indicates a gradual reduction in freshness and flavor.
Source Your Gum Wisely: Always purchase genuine mastic from reputable sources. The Chios Mastic Growers Association provides comprehensive information on the authentic product, its properties, and where it is sourced. Read more here.

Conclusion

Properly storing mastic gum is a simple yet crucial step to preserve its quality and maximize your experience. By keeping it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place like the refrigerator, you can protect it from heat, light, and moisture, ensuring that each tear or capsule remains as potent and beneficial as the day it was harvested. Following these simple guidelines will keep your mastic fresh for years, allowing you to fully enjoy this ancient remedy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if your room is cool, dry, and dark. However, for maximum longevity and especially in warm climates, refrigeration is the superior storage method to prevent the gum from softening or melting.

If mastic gum melts due to heat, it will become a sticky mass. While still usable, it may be difficult to handle, and some of its texture and therapeutic properties may be affected. It's best to tap it to break it back into smaller pieces or chill it to regain its form.

Mastic gum is a resin and doesn't spoil like food. However, its quality and potency do degrade over time, a process accelerated by heat, air, and light. For the best experience, use it within a year or two of opening the package and store it correctly to extend its shelf life.

Yes, it is highly recommended to refrigerate mastic gum capsules and powder. The finely ground resin inside is more susceptible to clumping and sticking together in warmer temperatures. Keep it sealed in the fridge for best results.

Yes, a change to a yellowish or golden color is typically due to oxidation and doesn't make the gum unsafe. However, the fresher, whiter gum will offer a stronger flavor and more potent effects.

A sealed, airtight plastic bag is better than nothing, but a glass or metal container is preferable. Mastic gum can be sticky, and it may adhere to the plastic, making it difficult to remove. An airtight container provides superior protection.

While it doesn't truly go 'bad', signs of poor quality include a stale or weaker flavor, a very hard and brittle texture, or a consistently golden-brown color. If it doesn't provide the same fresh, firm chew, it's a sign of degradation.

No, you should never leave mastic gum in your car. A vehicle's interior can reach high temperatures that will cause the gum to melt into a sticky, unusable mass.