I’ve loved pumpkin spice ever since I first discovered it at Starbucks in my hometown in the fall of 2006. I was beside myself, enraptured by the taste. But to my dismay, pumpkin spice only rolls out once a year. Each year, I’d wait patiently for fall to come so I could get my hands on another Pumpkin Spice Latte.
But now, starting in late August through late November, we have pumpkin spice everything. America’s monetization of pumpkin has taken the country by storm.
From Trader Joe’s to Kellogg’s and Cheerios, then back to Whole Foods, there isn’t much you can’t find covered in pumpkin this time of year. There’s even pumpkin spice Spam, which I absolutely refuse to ever try.
It felt weird this morning having just regular coffee with half-and-half. I never thought I’d say it, but I feel like I’m going to barf if I eat one more pumpkin-flavored thing. Hopefully, I’ll move past that as the season goes on because pumpkin spice is a super cute tradition that I love cashing in on.
Although I like to think of myself as the queen of pumpkin spice, Starbucks’ fall favorite predates my childhood memories. The legend of the Pumpkin Spice Latte starts in 2003 when, supposedly, some higher-ups at Starbucks sat drinking coffee while eating pumpkin pie and wanted a way to combine the two. Lo and behold, the pumpkin spice craze was born, or so the lore goes.
But pumpkin spice predates even that. In 1934, the spice company McCormick came out with a pumpkin pie seasoning that, to my knowledge, remains the same today: a blend of allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. And let’s not forget that pumpkins and other squash were grown as crops in North America long before white settlers started putting them in pies. Plus, without countries like Vietnam, we wouldn’t have the various types of cinnamon we have today. Lastly, in terms of multiculturalism and the Pumpkin Spice Latte, ginger is said to have originated in Australasia.
Oddly enough, many things flavored “pumpkin spice” don’t actually have pumpkin in them. Instead, they have pumpkin pie seasoning, which tricks your brain into associating the flavor with pumpkin. However, in 2015, Starbucks did start adding pumpkin flavor to its PSL, causing everyone to freak out upon hearing the news that their beloved drink didn’t have pumpkin in it at all. Nonetheless, the sensation of these spices triggers receptors that make our bodies feel both comforted and warm, according to researchers. Who wouldn’t want that on a crisp fall day?
Sadly, pumpkin spice, especially the Pumpkin Spice Latte, has developed a reputation for being basic or for “dumb girls.” Not only is this a complete misrepresentation, but it’s also pretty sexist. People like what they like, regardless of gender. You can’t help what your taste buds love. And if pumpkin spice weren’t predominantly marketed to and associated with women, I think fewer people would have a problem with it. We live in a culture that decided things like yoghurt and Taylor Swift are “for women” and therefore somehow less serious, which is both sexist and ridiculous. And there are plenty of guys who will admit to loving pumpkin spice too, including Pete Wentz.
Now that you know the history of pumpkin spice, let’s get to the important part: what’s actually worth eating this year? From the worst to the best, with plenty of weird in between, here’s my ranking of this season’s pumpkin spice offerings.
10. Pumpkin Pie Lara Bars
If you’re a texture person, get ready for this one. It’s squishy but has lots of nuts to chomp on, and these were better than I expected them to be. You definitely get a pumpkin flavor, but there’s a bitterness to it, like with many Larabars.
It’s a great snack if you want something pumpkin on the go and need some fuel fast. I got these at Whole Foods, but there are probably other places that sell them right now. Also featured at Whole Foods right now is LesserEvil Pumpkin Spice Popcorn, which is a little weird but not bad and fairly low-calorie.
9. The Gourd Tree Pumpkin Cider
Okay, this one was just weird-tasting. I felt like I was drinking pumpkin fruit juice, like something out of Harry Potter. That being said, I did end up having a few of them, so I can’t say it was exactly intolerable. Needless to say, it’s definitely an acquired taste.
They sell The Gourd Tree Pumpkin Cider at Trader Joe’s, though you can likely find it elsewhere as the season goes on. Also, there are tons of pumpkin beers out there, including a Samuel Adams one.
8. Horizon Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Real Dairy Creamer
This one was pretty good. A little sweet, in my opinion, but definitely a fun morning treat. I will say that Trader Joe’s pumpkin creamer is better, but they already placed on this list with another fun fall item.
The Horizon pumpkin creamer can be found at Target and most likely other stores that sell Horizon products.
7. NuttZo Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter
I’d say it’s good! I was expecting something a lot weirder, but the blend of spices and peanut butter worked well together. I got this one at Whole Foods, but there are probably other pumpkin peanut butters out there too. It’s also tasty on a chocolate chip flaxseed muffin.
6. Krispy Kreme Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut
Absolutely delicious. Please go to your local Krispy Kreme and get one because, if not, I will eat them all. I even tried the Dunkin’ one, and Krispy Kreme takes the cake (no pun intended).
Although, I do not recommend the Krispy Kreme Pumpkin Spice Latte. It just tasted like coffee with a lot of sugar in it. And this time of year, if I’m not getting a pumpkin coffee, I’ll take it regular.
5. Dunkin' Pumpkin Patch Cloud Latte
A+ for this coffee drink. Dunkin’s Pumpkin Patch Cloud Latte measures up where its doughnuts fall short compared to Krispy Kreme’s. The name really says it all. Sipping this drink is like a smooth waterfall of pumpkin flavor hugging your senses. Ten out of ten. Would recommend.
4. Noosa Pumpkin Yoghurt
Normally, I eat yoghurt for food value, but I would eat Noosa’s Pumpkin Yoghurt for dessert. The pumpkin-y jam is so good mixed with the creamy whole-milk yoghurt. If you need a snack or a sweet treat, Noosa Pumpkin Yoghurt is the way to go.
It’s also from Whole Foods, although it’s sold at Costco, Walmart, Target, and Randalls as well.
3. Starbucks's Pumpkin Spice Latte
An old favorite of mine. It ranks high due to nostalgia and tradition, as well as taste. The grandmother of pumpkin spice, it really is a good one. If you haven’t tried it, you’re really missing out.
Additionally, their Pumpkin Chai is really good too, as is the pumpkin cream cheese muffin. But at the end of the day, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is the must-have from Starbucks.
2. Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Flan
Also for the texture people, but in a good way. The creamy pumpkin flavor simply glides across your tongue as you melt into bliss. Not to mention, it’s a super creative invention. It hadn’t even occurred to me that there was such a thing. If you love flan and you love pumpkin, you’ll love this!
1. Ice Cream For Bears Basic Bear Pumpkin Spice French Ice Cream
This is some of the best ice cream that I’ve ever had. It’s naturally sweetened with honey and is a pumpkin treat you can’t miss. (And I’m not even biased because I absolutely love bears.)
This ice cream is seriously good and not even that bad for you. I got it at Whole Foods as well, but you can find Ice Cream for Bears at H-E-B (in Texas) and Sprouts Market.
If you’re craving pumpkin or are in the fall spirit this season and looking for something new, check out any of these fun snacks. Not seeing anything you like? Fortunately, it’s only September, and only about a third of the pumpkin stuff is even out at Trader Joe’s, the pumpkin grocery store leader, which means the rest of the country will soon follow and stock up.
And although most of these products are available nationwide, don’t forget your local coffee shop, which probably makes an even better PSL than Starbucks does. I, for one, know that I look forward to pumpkin spice all year and can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for us pumpkin lovers!