This Madison Chocolatier, A Former Lawyer, Is Making Some Of The World’s Best Chocolate

• Attraction: CocoVaa Chocolatier
• Location: 10 Odana Court, Madison, WI 53719
• Industry: Chocolatier
• Website: https://www.cocovaa.com

When you step into the world of chocolate artistry at CocoVaa Chocolatier, you’re experiencing the sweet dreams of a former trial lawyer who decided to trade courtroom victories for confectionery perfection.

Syovata Edari spent fifteen years as a trial lawyer before walking away from her established career to pursue her passion for chocolate, ultimately earning a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination in 2024.

This isn’t your typical candy shop story — it’s the tale of a woman who traveled to France and Italy to study under master chocolatiers, transforming her Madison-based business into an internationally acclaimed chocolate haven that has captured the attention of celebrities and chocolate connoisseurs worldwide.

CocoVaa has earned over 30 awards from the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards in London, with Edari being named an International Rising Star in 2018.

Every piece tells a story inspired by global travels and experiences, creating what Edari calls “micro-batch” chocolates that celebrate the richness and complexity of flavors from around the world.

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Signature Chocolates & Unique Flavors

Award-Winning Truffles: You’ll discover flavor combinations that simply don’t exist anywhere else. The Morello Cherry Caramel stands out as an extraordinary creation that has earned rave reviews from chocolate enthusiasts, while saffron-infused truffles and white peach mint caramels showcase the innovative approach to flavor pairing. Each truffle is handcrafted with precision, using premium ingredients sourced from around the globe.

Global-Inspired Collections: Current seasonal offerings include saffron chocolate featuring authentic saffron from Afghanistan and the trendy Dubai chocolate bars made with dark chocolate, pistachio cream, and crunchy kataifi. The flavor profiles constantly evolve, drawing inspiration from Edari’s travels and cultural experiences, ensuring there’s always something new to discover.

Specialty Caramels: The Turkish coffee chocolates deliver an amazing coffee experience that could easily become addictive, while the Earl Gray offerings provide a sophisticated tea-infused option. The passion fruit-mango caramel and smoked maple caramel varieties have earned silver awards in international competitions, demonstrating the exceptional quality you can expect.

White Chocolate Mastery: Edari specializes in white chocolate creations, developing this expertise initially because her daughter has allergies to traditional chocolate but can enjoy white chocolate varieties. This personal motivation led to a mastery of white chocolate that few chocolatiers achieve, making CocoVaa a destination for white chocolate enthusiasts.

Artisanal Bars & Barks: Beyond individual chocolates, you’ll find chocolate barks sold by the pound, brittles, and artisanal bars that showcase single-origin chocolate varieties. Each creation maintains the same attention to quality and ethical sourcing that defines the entire collection.

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Atmosphere & Craftsmanship

Micro-Batch Production: Everything at CocoVaa is created in micro batches using fresh, locally sourced premium ingredients and ethically sourced chocolate. You can witness the artisanal process that goes into each creation, understanding that every piece represents hours of careful craftsmanship rather than mass production.

Award-Winning Excellence: CocoVaa has earned gold, silver, and bronze awards from the Academy of Chocolate, with a 4.4 rating from official awards and critic reviews. The 2018 recognition as one of America’s Top Chocolatiers with the Grand Master title from the International Chocolate Salon demonstrates the exceptional caliber of work.

Ethical Sourcing Focus: The chocolatier prioritizes single-origin varieties to support communities at the source, with a steadfast dedication to ethical practices and collaborations with local producers. This commitment means your indulgence supports sustainable chocolate farming practices worldwide.

Design & Storytelling: Each design element of the shop tells a story, just as each piece of chocolate creates a narrative through flavor. The approach treats chocolate as more than an indulgence — it’s a vehicle for storytelling and a means of preserving history, creating an immersive experience that engages all your senses.

Other Considerations

Premium Pricing Philosophy: While CocoVaa chocolates are positioned at a higher price point, customers consistently express that the quality and experience justify the investment. The business operates with lower margins due to ethical sourcing and quality attention, but this approach positions artisanal creators at the forefront of the food revolution.

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Limited Availability: The shop operates on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, or by appointment during weekdays. This limited schedule reflects the small-batch, artisanal nature of the operation, making each visit feel special and exclusive.

Corporate & Event Services: CocoVaa specializes in corporate gifting, weddings, showers and other events, offering elegant packaging and custom options for special occasions. The presentation matches the exceptional quality of the chocolates themselves.

New Expanded Location: The business recently moved to a new $1.2 million facility at 10 Odana Court, providing four times more production space and enhanced shipping capabilities. This expansion allows for increased availability while maintaining the micro-batch quality that defines the brand.

Celebrity Recognition: The chocolates have gained attention from celebrities including Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles and various Hollywood personalities, demonstrating the broad appeal of these artisanal creations beyond the local Madison market.

Online Ordering: For those unable to visit in person, award-winning chocolates are available through online ordering for shipping nationwide, allowing chocolate lovers everywhere to experience these exceptional creations.

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CocoVaa Chocolatier
📍 10 Odana Court, Madison, WI 53719