CocoVaa – Again and Again!
September 21, 2019
Earlier this year I posted a blog about chocolatier extraordinaire, Syovata Edari, and her award-winning fine chocolates. I had received a large gift box at Christmas, and my tasting experience left quite an impression on me. The “Ohhhh yeah, this is incredible!” kind of impression. I knew there was going to be a visit to CocoVaa in my future.
The perfect opportunity arrived when a friend invited me to spend the day with her in Madison, WI. There are many fun reasons to meet friends in Madison; the huge farmer’s market surrounding the State Capital building, wonderful restaurants, and craft breweries. It’s also the home of CocoVaa.
The Plan - Chocolate Handling on a Hot Day
We had it all planned - shopping, eating, chocolate buying. No wrinkles, except that it was the hottest day of the year. Believe it or not, Wisconsin DOES have pretty hot weather when it wants to, and the temperature combined with the humidity put the heat index at 105 that day. Hmm.
I was planning on bringing chocolate home with me, but chocolate and high heat do not play nice together. Abort my stop at CocoVaa? No way. Plan B, stuff a cooler with frozen ice packs and make it the last stop of the day. I had a 59.7-mile drive during which I had to protect and save the chocolate. It was a worthy endeavor. Of course, there was always Plan C. Eat all the chocolate before leaving the shop. There was just no downside.
This Visit to CocoVaa
Walking into CocoVaa was a real treat. I was greeted right away with a smile and a hello. The small space was filled with people but not over-crowded. The atmosphere was upbeat, and the delicacies very eye-catching. I was drooling, but I don’t think anyone saw that. I had so much fun picking out a four-piece box of chocolates, a couple dark chocolate-dipped candied lemon and orange peel, and something curiously called a Hedge Hog (that’s what it said on my receipt anyway).
The four flavors I chose for my sampler box were Sayari Cocoa (90%), Chai, Passionfruit Mango, and Fig Hazelnut. I loved the intensity of rich cocoa notes in the Sayari, the crunchy hazelnut layer with a figgy caramel center in the Fig Hazelnut, the perfect mix of spices and creaminess in the Chai, and the tart, sweet, buttery fruit of the Passionfruit Mango.
The slices of lemon and orange peel were simply amazing. Chocolate and candied orange peel is my absolute favorite confection. I don’t believe I’ve tasted better.
Now, saving the best for last. CocoVaa’s pecan and caramel coated in dark chocolate (this is the Hedge Hog!) was, well, to quote my friend, “pretty damn delicious!” I would have said the same thing except I was too busy crying.
I really have a passion (obsession?) for chocolate, but I’ve never had the desire to drive an hour for it. Until now.
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