We know the worldwide success of Chartreuse liqueur, the vegetable elixir with such a special color produced by hermit monks of the Chartreux order, a very old community established in Isère which perpetuates a centuries-old tradition and know-how. . Without equaling such a success, many monasteries, abbeys, and convents have happily played the card of craftsmanship and offer, each in its specialty, a range of products highly sought after for their quality and authenticity.
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In Corsica, there were also hard-working communities, including the Benedictine monastery at Erbalunga, which had long produced candles, honey and bitter orange jams, on a small scale. These days are over, the extinction of vocations and the desertification of the congregations put an end to these activities with the exception of the Sari monastery, which continues to market jams.
Profound behavior changes
However, and while the agricultural sector is struggling to get out of the doldrums, the organic market continues to grow, demand is growing stronger: the aspiration for healthy and balanced food, for better health has led to profound changes in behaviors and a real craze for local products.
Terrestrial and celestial foods, body and soul go hand in hand for Frédéric Manaut who declines the concept in Bastia under the brand “A Candela”, specialized bookstore and delicatessen. This small shop on rue du Castagno offers both Christian literary works and products from different monasteries.
Olive oil, craft beers, wines, herbal teas, jams, condiments, dry and savory cakes, flavored salts, fresh cheeses, share the shelves with 250 book references (missals, bibles, catechism manuals, biographies of saints, works of reference on the old remedies) and DVD in connection with the religion.
Support for monasteries
” Originally, the principle was to open a space for religious literature, he explains, then we wanted to support monasteries and abbeys in France and around the world by promoting their wonderful products. Most of them are organic farming. Some are very successful, others live from their work according to a very ancient tradition in a more confidential sphere, and maintain their communities and their heritage through these activities. But in all cases, the products are of impeccable quality, without chemical treatment ”.
“A Candela” intends to gradually expand its range, and regularly contacts this direction, in particular with Italy.
The shop will soon offer flour and pasta.
“Beautiful days”
Some of these products have survived the centuries like the famous Emerald Water made by the Benedictines since the XVIe century, still on sale today, and which Madame de Sévigné said she ” console and perfect everything ». Monastic craftsmanship undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of it.
The items sold at the A Candela store come from, among others, the Abbey of Barroux, near Avignon, the Monastery of Solan (Cévennes), the Annonciades of Thiais (Ile de France), the Dominican Nuns of Taulignan (Provence), the Sept-Fons Abbey (Bourbonnais), the Saint-Wandrille Abbey (Normandy), and soon the Oelenberg Abbey (Alsace).
During the confinement period, open in the morning only. From May 11, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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