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In order to complete
an acquaintance of a certain place it is necessary to refer to its products.
This necessity becomes an obligation when the place happens to be Mesta.
Two of its products are directly related to the history and existence of
Mesta; that is mastic and wine.
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I. Mastic .
Mastic is the resin
which is shed by schinos. A lot of labour is needed for its production.
The "pricking" of schinos (= the piercing of its trunk) should take place
very early in the morning before the sunrise, so that during the daytime
and due to the rise in temperature the tree will shed the mastic. In the
past people used to go to their trees from the previous night and sleep
there so that they would save time in the morning. For the youngsters this
nocturnal exodus was a special occasion for singing and dancing, while
the setting was appropriate for several idylls. Is there, indeed, any equivalence
between the young people's present ways of entertainment in basements full
of smoke and noise and that of those days in nature and smell of schinos?
Mastic played a serious role as far as the fate
of Mesta is concerned. The pirates' raids and a number of occupations the
villagers underwent throughout history are caused to the production of
mastic. Their better conditions of living in comparison to residents of
other occupied areas were because the conquerors needed them for the production
of mastic. It was so important that since the Roman
times the penalties for stealing mastic were extremely severe. The
Genoans though established the most
strict penalties. Stealing a least piece of mastic was enough for the loss
of the thief's one ear, hand, his nose or even his life.
Nowadays mastic is produced through the same
traditional way regardless of the modern means of cultivation and production.
The visitor should remember to buy some mastic before he leaves the village.
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II. Wine .
In Mesta the very
well known "Ariousios Oinos" is produced, which, according to Greek mythology
was proper for the gods. The wine of Mesta is mentioned in the French Winology
as "vin de Mesta". Those who want to taste this famous kind of wine can
ask for it in the taverns and restaurants of the village and Limenas.
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III. Souma
(Raki) .
Another alcoholic
drink that is produced in Mesta is souma. It is a kind of ouzo produced
through distillation of figs. Souma is a very strong drink, it is
pure though since it is made through a traditional way and does not contain
preservatives. It is served with a variety of dried nuts and titbits. One
can get it from the producers themselves.
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IV.
Kourmades .
Kourmades are also
very famous in Mesta. They are olives which ripen on the tree because of
a particular kind of fungus which thrives in the area. They can be eaten
without any further elaboration.
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