With the image of red and gold leaves comes the image of pumpkin spice lattes, unofficially deemed the #1 classic drink of the season. Infused with a rich blend of cinnamon, espresso, and last but not least, pumpkin spice, it is the traditional embodiment of the autumn season. Although it has maintained its spot for so many years, this iconic drink “falls” short of what it’s claimed to be.
In terms of the taste itself, the ginger, cinnamon, and overall spices are way too overpowering, concealing the pumpkin flavor that makes the drink what it’s famous for. According to community.spiceworks.com, “it’s a saccharin-sweet and slightly spicy coffee drink that tastes nothing like pumpkins and everything like they dumped cinnamon sugar in a cup of milk and steamed it.” Pumpkin lovers who are searching for a light, seasonal coffee flavor are left disappointed with its bland pumpkin-lacking taste. Not only is the taste undesirable, but its sugar content is high enough to reach the conclusion that there are absolutely no pros of a pumpkin spice latte. According to Starbucks, a pumpkin spice latte has “390 calories, 14g of total fat, 52g of carbs, and 50g of added sugar.” Reaching almost 50 grams of pure added sugar, will for sure spike up your blood sugar level to its max. For a sweet drink that tastes more spicy than sweet, 50 grams of sugar is almost baffling. This level of sugar might be okay to have once in a while, but it can’t be a daily occurrence. That automatically disqualifies it from its spot on the throne.
Pumpkin flavored drinks, cheesecake, ice cream, and even ravioli have been showing up in local supermarkets, contributing to the mass pumpkin hysteria. Though pumpkins are and have been the primary representative of fall, there are lots of other underrated flavors as well, such as apple, cinnamon, cranberry, and caramel. Unfortunately, pumpkin spice has taken all the fame and left no chance whatsoever for other potential flavors, definitely worthy of recognition. Sometimes, there is too much of a good thing.
Another classic, the maple pecan latte is just as good, if not even better than a pumpkin spice latte. This sweet cozy drink fits the essence of fall much more clearly than pumpkin spice lattes. Filled with a nutty, sweet, and buttery flavor, this coffee drink topped with foam and crunchy pecans is perfect for chillier days, as we gradually transition into fall. It’s the perfect balance of sugar and cream, making it not too sweet. Though, spices are also carefully blended in with the shot of espresso, so don’t worry about not satisfying your taste buds. As the nutrition facts appear, it is a much healthier alternative to pumpkin spice lattes, while still maintaining that aromatic and sugary taste. According to mynetdiary.com, a maple pecan latte has “270 calories, 8g of total fat, 39g of carbs, and lastly, 35g of added sugar.” With almost half of the amount of sugar of a pumpkin spice latte, coffee-obsessed fans who are still cautious with their overall sugar intake are still able to enjoy this sweet treat.
As the 2024 fall season makes its debut, the maple pecan latte emerges as a clear winner. It is about time for pumpkin spice lattes to step down from the podium. With this peek into a different variety of flavors that will relieve all that pumpkin spice burnout, maple pecan lattes will for sure take over the fall drink industry.
