To raise money for their churches and various charities, the nuns make all sorts of products which visitors can purchase either directly from the cloistered nuns themselves through a revolving door that keeps the nuns hidden, or in a front reception area.You can spend many a hour visiting the various nunneries around old town and sampling their homemade goodies.
The best things, in my opinion, are from Monasterio de Carmen Alto conveniently located a few blocks from my house on Calle Rocafuerte and Garcia Moreno.
They sell anise flavored liquor, cookies, de-soured lemons filled with caramel crème, wine, bee pollen, tiger balm, rose water, soap, hand and foot lotion, and many, many other culinary and body delights. The best thing about Monasterio de Carmen Alto is that they package everything beautifully and put their own little nun label on the front so everything here makes for a really good gift.
Around town you can find these religious bottle covers that are made to perfectly enclose the liquors and wines made by the nuns.
Tips: The nuns at Carmen Alto don't mess around with their liquor. This stuff is strong! Watch yourself.
The coca leaf tea is sold at natural food stores and isn't made by the nuns, but it is another great thing to try while you are here.
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