The Jampot

When it comes to monastery-made products, Europe gets most of the glory. But Americans in search of sacred sweets don’t have to venture abroad. On the northern tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, a group of monks sells their delicious jams, jellies, and baked goods from a small storefront known as The Jampot.  

It all started in 1986, when the Monks of the Society of St. John sold their first jar of preserves, made from the peninsula’s local wild berries. Ever since, they’ve been supporting their Byzantine Catholic monastery with proceeds from their successful shop. Today, they make and sell everything from chocolates and trail mix to fruitcakes, muffins, and cookies. But the monks’ signature is still their jam. Sold under the name “Poorrock Abbey,” the monk-made line of preserves comes in an array of flavors, including wild thimbleberry, golden raspberry, and chokecherry.