Cloistered Comestibles

In the mountains of the Philippines, nuns raise funds with a sweet spread made from purple yams.

Outside chapels carved from cliffs and caves, elderly women sell sweet, beautiful breads rooted in Armenia’s Christian traditions.

These almond cakes resembling gold ingots were sold near the Paris stock exchange.

With this egg-based Christmas dessert, Portuguese pastelarias celebrate a bloodsucking fish.

Not even the 17th-century nuns behind this Mexican eggnog could resist drinking it.

This layered pastry from Italy's Amalfi Coast may have origins in a 17th-century convent.

Benedictine monks in Oregon brew and serve this dark, heady beer.

This heavenly custard was born from the leftovers of sherry winemaking.

Once made by monks, this candy spends 15 days rolling in sugar syrup to get its pearly-white shell.