Mastic vs. Tar — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
Mastic is a tree resin used as a sealant or flavoring, whereas tar is a viscous substance obtained from organic materials used primarily in waterproofing and paving. Mastic is natural and has culinary applications, while tar is synthetic and industrial.
Difference Between Mastic and Tar
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mastic is a natural resin harvested from the mastic tree, traditionally used as a chewing gum and food flavoring in Mediterranean regions. Tar, however, is derived from the destructive distillation of wood or coal and is primarily used in industrial applications.
Mastic is known for its aromatic, slightly bitter taste and is popular in cooking and confectionery. On the other hand, tar has a distinctive, pungent odor and is not used in food but in waterproofing, road construction, and roofing.
Mastic can also serve as a sealant due to its adhesive and waterproof properties, especially in traditional boat building. Tar is predominantly applied for heavy-duty waterproofing, as it forms a tough, protective layer ideal for roads, roofs, and railroad ties.
Mastic remains stable and flexible in various environmental conditions, which makes it suitable for smaller-scale projects. In contrast, tar provides a more robust seal for larger industrial-scale applications, where durability and heat resistance are critical.
Mastic's clear or pale yellow color and hard texture are in stark contrast to tar's black or dark brown appearance and sticky consistency, with tar being much denser.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Natural resin from the mastic tree
Byproduct of wood or coal distillation
Primary Use
Chewing gum, food flavoring, traditional sealant
Paving roads, waterproofing, roofing
Odor/Taste
Aromatic, slightly bitter
Pungent and acrid, not for consumption
Color and Texture
Clear to pale yellow, hard
Black/brown, viscous
Application Scale
Small-scale applications
Industrial-scale construction
Compare with Definitions
Mastic
A natural gum with aromatic flavor.
Mastic adds a unique taste to Mediterranean sweets.
Tar
Derives from coal, wood, or petroleum.
Wood tar is more traditional, but coal tar dominates modern applications.
Mastic
Known as 'mastiha' in Greek cuisine.
Mastiha ice cream is a popular summer treat.
Tar
Used in waterproofing and sealing.
The roof was coated with tar to prevent leaks.
Mastic
A resin from the mastic tree, used as a sealant.
Traditional boat builders often relied on mastic to waterproof wooden vessels.
Tar
A viscous substance obtained from organic materials.
Workers poured hot tar onto the new road surface.
Mastic
Harvested for medicinal purposes.
Ancient herbalists prescribed mastic for digestive health.
Tar
Forms a sticky, durable layer.
Railroad ties are protected by a thick layer of tar.
Mastic
A stable, adhesive substance.
The craftsman used mastic to affix the tiles securely.
Tar
Can cause pollution when improperly managed.
Runoff from tar production can contaminate local waterways.
Mastic
The mastic tree.
Tar
Tar is a dark brown or black viscous liquid of hydrocarbons and free carbon, obtained from a wide variety of organic materials through destructive distillation. Tar can be produced from coal, wood, petroleum, or peat.Mineral products resembling tar can be produced from fossil hydrocarbons, such as petroleum.
Mastic
The aromatic resin of the mastic tree, used in varnishes and as a flavoring and formerly in chewing gum and as a medicine.
Tar
A dark, thick flammable liquid distilled from wood or coal, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons, resins, alcohols, and other compounds. It is used in road-making and for coating and preserving timber.
Mastic
Any of various substances used as an adhesive or sealant.
Tar
A sailor.
Mastic
A pastelike cement used in highway construction, especially one made with powdered lime or brick and tar.
Tar
Cover (something) with tar
A newly tarred road
Mastic
An evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), native to the Mediterranean.
Tar
A dark, oily, viscous material, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, produced by the destructive distillation of organic substances such as wood, coal, or peat.
Mastic
A hard, brittle, aromatic and transparent resin produced by this tree and used to make varnishes and chewing gum, and as a flavouring.
Tar
See coal tar.
Mastic
An alcoholic liquor flavoured with this resin.
Tar
A solid residue of tobacco smoke containing byproducts of combustion.
Mastic
A flexible, waterproof cement used as an adhesive, sealant or filler.
Tar
A sailor.
Mastic
A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia (Pistacia Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; - called also, mastic tree.
Tar
To coat with or as if with tar.
Mastic
A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.
Tar
A black, oily, sticky, viscous substance, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons derived from organic materials such as wood, peat, or coal.
Mastic
A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.
Tar
Coal tar.
Mastic
An aromatic exudate from the mastic tree; used chiefly in varnishes
Tar
(uncountable) A solid residual byproduct of tobacco smoke.
Mastic
A pasty cement used as an adhesive or filler
Tar
A sailor, because of the traditional tarpaulin clothes.
Jack Tar
Tar
(uncountable) Black tar, a form of heroin.
Tar
(computing) A program for archiving files, common on Unix systems.
Tar
(computing) A file produced by such a program.
Tar
A Persian long-necked, waisted string instrument, shared by many cultures and countries in the Middle East and the Caucasus.
Tar
A single-headed round frame drum originating in North Africa and the Middle East.
Tar
(transitive) To coat with tar.
Tar
(transitive) To besmirch.
The allegations tarred his name, even though he was found innocent.
Tar
To create a tar archive.
Tar
A sailor; a seaman.
Tar
A thick, black, viscous liquid obtained by the distillation of wood, coal, etc., and having a varied composition according to the temperature and material employed in obtaining it.
Tar
To smear with tar, or as with tar; as, to tar ropes; to tar cloth.
Tar
Any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
Tar
A man who serves as a sailor
Tar
Coat with tar;
Tar the roof
Tar the roads
Common Curiosities
What is mastic made from?
Mastic is a natural resin obtained from the mastic tree, primarily found in the Mediterranean.
Can mastic be used in construction?
Yes, mastic is used as a sealant for traditional boatbuilding and some small-scale applications.
How is mastic harvested?
Mastic is collected by making incisions on the bark of the mastic tree and gathering the resin that oozes out.
What industries primarily use tar?
Tar is widely used in road construction, waterproofing, and roofing.
Can mastic withstand heat well?
Yes, mastic has good heat resistance, but it's not intended for extreme temperatures like those involved in road construction.
Is mastic always pale yellow in color?
Mastic typically appears clear to pale yellow, but this can vary slightly.
What gives tar its dark color?
Tar gets its dark color from the chemical byproducts of distilling organic material like wood or coal.
Is mastic suitable for medicinal use?
Yes, mastic is traditionally believed to have medicinal benefits, particularly for digestive health.
Does tar have any traditional uses?
Historically, tar was used in maritime settings to waterproof wooden ships.
Is tar safe to use around food?
No, tar is not suitable for food use due to its harsh, pungent chemicals.
Is tar still used for sealing ships today?
No, modern sealants have largely replaced tar in shipbuilding due to health and environmental concerns.
What health risks are associated with tar?
Tar can be carcinogenic due to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Does mastic have any distinctive aroma or flavor?
Yes, mastic has a unique, aromatic, and slightly bitter taste, commonly used in Mediterranean cooking.
Is mastic a common ingredient in modern cooking?
Mastic remains a popular flavoring in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Why does tar smell so strong?
The strong odor comes from the volatile compounds released during distillation.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
