Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Friday 29 March |
Good Friday
Aleteia logo
Art & Culture
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Monk-made jams from Michigan, with a Byzantine twist

JAMPOT

Photos Courtesy of Society of St. John

Daniel Esparza - published on 05/13/22

Following the Benedictine Rule, the monks support their monastery by making and selling jams, along with handmade chocolates, fruitcakes, muffins, fruit-and-nut mixes, and cookies.

Please consider a gift for Aleteia!
Help us spread the joy of Christ's victory.
Aleteia depends on your support.

Join our Lenten Campaign 2024.

DONATE NOW

Monastic brewhouses have existed across Europe at least since the 5th century. They are a (mostly) Benedictine tradition. In his Regula (that is, the Rule of St. Benedict) Benedict clearly states that monks should earn their own keep and donate to the poor by the work of their own hands.

Following the Rule, monasteries have always produced a diversity of different goods, beer being just one of them. Cheese, coffee, sauces, peanut butter, perfumes, dishes and decorative pottery, and sweet treats are among the many monk-made products one can purchase while visiting a convent, a friary, an abbey, or a monastery. It is not surprising that monk-made jam is a thing.

On the northern end of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, Byzantine Catholic monks of the Society of Saint John are selling jams, jellies, and baked goods. Their storefront, which is opened seasonally, is known as The Jampot

Located near Jacob’s Falls, three miles east of Eagle River and five miles west of Eagle Harbor on Scenic Highway M26 in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, The Jampot sold its first jar of preserves in 1986, made from local wild berries. Ever since, they have been selling their gourmet jams and jellies “to customers from around the world,” as read on their website.

Following the Benedictine Rule, the monks have supported their monastery by making and selling these jams, but also handmade chocolates, fruitcakes, muffins, fruit-and-nut mixes, and cookies. Sold under the name “Poorrock Abbey,” their preserves come in many flavors, including wild thimbleberry, golden raspberry, and chokecherry.

Proceeds from The Jampot support the vision and works of Holy Protection Monastery, a Byzantine Catholic Monastery.  You can learn more by visiting their website.

Tags:
FoodMonks
Support Aleteia!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reach more than 20 million unique users per month!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Support Aleteia with a gift today!

jour1_V2.gif
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.