Mahlab (also called mechlebe or mahlepi) and mastic are very important spices for traditional Greek pastries. They have a special aroma, which, perhaps, is not similar to other spices, so it is impossible to replace them. Alternatively, you can use ground cardamom and ground anise to give your baked goods an unusual and festive flavor. For our recipe, you will need 5 g of ground cardamom and 5 g of ground anise.