Choose from a Variety of Specialty and Gourmet Chocolate Makers in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin is home to an assortment of fine chocolatiers and outlets for gourmet and fine chocolate. The organic focus in many of downtown Madison’s culinary minds has encouraged choices for finer, specialty chocolate and can be purchased in bulk, online, or in a retail storefront. Enjoy this list of gourmet and specialty delights available in the Madison, Wisconsin area and learn about the history of this exquisite treat:
Varieties
Dark, milk, and white chocolate is available in thousands of varieties, forms, and flavors. French and Belgian chocolatiers devised variations of sugar and chocolate to bring us the choices we have today. A standard list of types include:
Fresh cream – covered in dark, milk or bitter chocolate.
Fresh butter cream – covered in dark, milk or bitter chocolate.
Ganache – This is most often used inside truffles or as a filling for other chocolates. The consistency is a silky, rich chocolate mixture made with just the right balance of cream and liquer. It is often flavored with tea, spices, and coffee for variation.
Gianduja – This Belgian mixture is composed of sugar, ground hazelnuts, and melted chocolate and is often used to make other chocolates.
Liqueurs – Liqueur chocolates are made with a layer of sugar and starch added between the chocolate and alcohol. In Europe, these come wrapped in foil colors to identify the flavor or type.
Marzipan-this almond paste is often used as a filling for chocolates, and may have flavorings and spices added to it for variation.
Pralines-Pralines are the Belgian name for chocolate, and are usually filled with a deliciously rich surprise!
PralinÃ?© – This is a specialty filling made with nuts, sugar, and chocolate in a mold of dark, milk, or bittersweet chocolate.
Truffles – These popular choices are made of chocolate, sugar, butter, and sometimes flavored with liquer. They are shaped into balls and coated with cocoa, powdered vanilla, or covered in melted chocolate. Truffles are often more dense than ganache, and may have a limited shelf-life.
Where to Buy:
To tame the chocoholic in you, visit Madison, Wisconsin’s prime locations to purchase your selections. With a focus on organic and healthful ingredients, you won’t be disappointed by the selection and high quality of many of these Madison vendors. Some have in-house chocolatiers, while others purchase from around the country. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and try to attend a chocolate tasting to truly tour the exciting world of chocolate!
Gail Ambrosius
1882 East Main Street, Madison, WI
(608) 249-3500
http://www.gailambrosius.com
Gail Ambrosius creates beautiful hand-made chocolates and truffles including truffles infused with unique flavors: green tea, spices, rose petals, lavender, and cayenne pepper. All chocolates are made with organic ingredients, and the perfected recipes are the passion of Gail’s entrepreneurial spirit. Popular highlights include a Gold-Bellied Buddha filled with a rich truffle filling; Baby Sea Turtles featuring toasted pecans and caramel; and Lucille’s Vanilla Comfort, an award-winning vanilla filling in a classic chocolate mold.
Cocoliquot
225 King Street, Madison, WI
(608) 255-2626
www.cocoliquot.com
David Bacco is the in-house chocolatier who has become locally famous for his chocolate and dessert menu creation. Choose from delicious delights such as the Yin and Yang, Milk Chocolate Silk, Caribbean Fire, Johnny Black, and Jasmine Pearl. Cocoliquot is also a wine and tapas bar and is quickly becoming a popular location for a classy night out in Madison. The signature chocolates are now available for purchase online and packaged in local retailers.
Twee & Luliloo
218 State Street, Madison, WI
(608) 251-4075
http://www.tweeandluliloo.com
This recent addition to Madison features a variety of candy-store and gourmet chocolates on Madison’s State Street. Giant truffles, turtles, raspberry truffles, a selection of mint infusions, and traditional candies are just a few of the popular picks. The storefront is decorated in the signature pink and black colors, and entices walk-in customers with creative displays and a visual assortment of goodies.
Candinas Chocolatier
2453 Old PB, Verona, Wisconsin
(800) 845-1554
www.candinas.com
Located just 15 minutes outside of Madison in Verona, Candinas provides exquisitely packaged gourmet chocolate that appeal to a variety of tastes. The high-quality assortments include caramels, truffles, nuggets, and traditional solid chocolates. The Candinas chocolate factory is also open for tours to the public! Orders can also be placed online.
Whole Foods
3313 University Avenue, Madison, WI
(608) 233-9566
From Paul Newman’s organic lines, to the Dagoba chocolate bar, Whole Foods’ organic emphasis features a selection of bars and drinking chocolate from around the world. Stop in to browse the selection and you are sure to find something for even the biggest craving!
