Mastic Gum Grains

Mastic gum grains, known in Lebanon as meskeh, are small translucent pieces of natural resin with a distinctive piney, slightly sweet aroma. They are a familiar ingredient in Lebanese and wider Middle Eastern kitchens. A few grains are usually ground with a little sugar into a fine powder before use, then added to milk puddings such as muhallabiyeh, to traditional booza ice cream, and to ma'amoul and other festive pastries and breads. Many cooks also add a grain or two when boiling chicken or meat, and some people simply chew the grains as a gum. Mastic gum grains can be found at Dekenet Al Nes in Baaqline, in the Chouf, a package-free grocery store where customers are encouraged to bring their own containers and refill the essentials they need, helping to reduce plastic waste and single-use packaging.