Ayvalik Gummy Cookie Product Description and Distinguishing Features: Ayvalık Mastiha Cookie; is a cookie produced in the Ayvalık district using mastic gum, wheat flour, margarine or extra virgin olive oil, eggs, fresh yeast, baking soda, and granulated sugar. The cookies are coated with egg yolk and sesame seeds before being baked. Ayvalık Mastiha Cookie is approximately 7 cm in diameter and has a round shape. The inclusion of mastic gum provides a strong mastic flavor to the cookie.The history of Ayvalık Mastiha Cookie dates back to 1923. It has been produced by pastry chefs in Ayvalık since the 1940s. The traditional production method has been preserved by passing down from generation to generation. The production of Ayvalık Mastiha Cookie requires expertise, and its association with the geographical boundary adds to its reputation. Production Method: The components and production method required to produce 26 Ayvalık Mastiha Cookies are provided below: - 1 kg wheat flour - 500 g margarine or 500 ml extra virgin olive oil - 7 eggs - 10 g fresh yeast - 10 g baking soda - 5 g mastic gum (stored at -18 °C) - 250 g granulated sugar - 7-8 sugar cubes - Sesame seeds The mastic gum stored at -18 °C is taken out of the freezer on the day of making Ayvalık Mastiha Cookies and crushed to a powder using a steel mortar with 7-8 sugar cubes. Wheat flour is sifted, and fresh yeast, margarine or extra virgin olive oil, the powdered mastic gum-sugar mixture, and 3 eggs are added and mixed. Baking soda is added, mixed, and finally, granulated sugar is added and mixed until a homogeneous dough is obtained. The dough is divided into 26 equal-weight pieces. The pieces are rolled into balls with an approximate diameter of 7 cm, brushed with the yolk of 4 eggs, and coated with sesame seeds. The cookies arranged on a baking sheet are baked in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 22 minutes. After cooling for approximately 10 minutes at room temperature, they can be served.Ayvalık Mastiha Cookies can be packaged in food-contact suitable packaging for sale.