Kaimaki Ice Cream: Crete's Iconic Mastic-Infused Frozen Dessert

Monday, 8 June 2026/Source: Flashnews/1 min read

Kaimaki is a traditional Greek-style ice cream known for its stretchy, creamy texture, flavored with mastic resin harvested from mastic trees native to the Greek island of Chios. This classic dessert is widely available across Crete in traditional pastry shops (zacharoplasteia) and gelaterias. A popular variation combines mastic with visino, a sour cherry preserve common in Greek sweets. Visitors to Crete can find kaimaki ice cream in most town centers and tourist areas, particularly in Heraklion, Chania, and Rethymno. It is typically served in a cone or cup, sometimes topped with extra visino syrup. Trying kaimaki is a straightforward way to experience a genuine piece of Greek culinary tradition during a visit to the island.