Mastic is the dried resin of a member of the cherry family. It has a light, pine-like aroma and taste. The resin is usually sold in a form known as “tears,” small nuggets of the dried resin. This is ground to a fine powder before being used. The taste helps to flavour many breads, cheese pastries, puddings, and preserves. It is widely used in the Middle East and is not widely available elsewhere. It is brittle and easily crushed, and takes on the consistency of chewing gum when chewed and so has been popular as a breath freshener for centuries.