Mastic

You won’t find this resinous product on the spice shelf of your local market, but its flavor, aroma, and thickening properties are so unique it’s worth seeking out from a specialty store or online, as it has no true substitute. Also known as mastika, the hardened gummy resin of the mastic tree is sold in small translucent droplets called “pearls” or “tears,” and these must be ground to a powder before using. Countries all across the Middle East use mastic to flavor everything from chewing gum to liqueurs to preserves with an astringent piney tang.