Mastic Snails

Mastic Snails farm, established in June 2013 on the island of Chios, Aegean Islands, specialises in breeding the Helix Aspersa Maxima and Muller snail species — varieties well suited to indoor cultivation. The snails are raised on a carefully balanced diet of corn, barley, soy, cereals, and calcium. The seasonal cycle is extraordinary: from March to October the snails lay eggs multiple times (80-120 per clutch), hatching within 15 days and reaching full size in 3.5-4 months. Harvesting by hand begins in late August and continues through October — a meticulous process that ensures the highest quality Chios snails, grown in one of the most botanically extraordinary landscapes in the Aegean.

Farm Tour and Tasting

• Snail Farm Visit: Explore the Mastic Snails farm on Chios and learn about the complete life cycle of Helix Aspersa Maxima — from egg-laying through growth to hand-harvest.
• Chios Snail Culture: Understand why snail breeding on Chios — an island famous for its mastic, herbs, and botanical diversity — produces snails of exceptional flavour and quality.
• Tasting: Taste artisan snail products from Mastic Snails and discover why Chios escargot has a character entirely its own in the world of Mediterranean gastronomy.

Book your snail farm experience at Mastic Snails on Chios through Gastronomy Tours.