Because of the mastic, Chios island acquired special privileges during the Ottoman domination. The mastic production became regularly but its exploitation had passed in the Turks hands. The mastic tax collector “Sakiz-Emini” came in Chios once per year (usually in Autumn) and collected the mastic tax. Also, came with him the mastic check-weighman which the most of the times he was Jew.
The first quality mastic was intended for the harem of Sultan in Istanbul. The second quality mastic went to Mameloukon harem (Dynasty of Egypt) to Cairo.
During the harvest period, the entries of villages closed at the evenings, for the product protection. The mastic theft was punished with particularly strict penalties. In 1822 Mastichochoria rescued of Turks fury because of the mastic. However, that it did not happen afterwards the afire of Flagship from Kanari and Kara Ali’s death. The fall of production was vertical up to 1853 that re-granted privileges in the island. The mastic production increment continued until 1910. In that period, because of the Balkan and World war, began the fall of production. About 1920 existed a small rise of production without however particular demand. After the Second World War the mastic pushed-aside and replaced by not natural products. The last years the production and the trade of mastic have come dynamically in the limelight. It existing continuously and increasing demand not only in domestic, but also in the abroad.