So I keep seeing these referenced in various media formats but I don’t recall ever seeing one on the menu where I live (Australia). Maybe they are sold under a different name? Maybe only in some places and I wasn’t paying attention? I don’t know, but I sure know I’ve never ordered one.
Am I missing out? What do these taste like? What’s the hype all about?
Also- is there a popular food/drink you aren’t against trying, that you haven’t tried yet?
Pumpkin spice products generally don’t actually contain pumpkin - they contain the spices used in pumpkin pie, usually at least cinnamon and nutmeg, but also could include things like cloves, star anise, cardamom, allspice, and ginger. These warmish spices pair really well with hot coffee beverages and cream, hence the popularity of pumpkin spice lattés. But it’s not just lattés - you can also buy pumpkin spice flavored coffee creamer to use in a regular cup of coffee.
In the States (or at least the Northeast where I’m from), pumpkin spice is sort of emblematic of the start of Fall. As the weather turns cooler we get into the spirit with things like big comfy sweaters, decorative gourds, chrysanthemums, and scented candles (apple pie and pumpkin spice scents are popular!), but spiced food is also a huge part of it: for example, gingersnaps, mulled apple cider (which uses a lot of the same spices as pumpkin spice), and of course pumpkin spice lattés.
A lot of these spices are used throughout the rest of the year because we’ve got Thanksgiving in late November (pumpkin pie is a staple for this holiday), and for Christmas there tend to be spiced cookies and cakes, plus spiced tea and mulled wine. And there are also spice-scented air fresheners and potpourri, so whether you’re at home or out shopping there’s a nice warm cozy scent.
You are tempting me to look up some pumpkin pie recipes. All that sounds delicious!
Yes, do it, you’re missing out. Pumpkin pie is delicious. But yes, Pumpkin Spiced Lattes just taste like a latte with pumpkin pie flavor.
Pumpkin pie is really a cinch to make; you should give it a go!
Fun fact, pumkin pies arent actually made with pumpkims, but a certain kind of squash. Its usually made with hubbards or butternut.
Is this true? I’ve always used the large cans of 100% pumpkin purée to make pumpkin pie - I thought most people did.
Yah. The can of “pumpkin” filling that most people use is actually a different squash and not a pumpkin (at least the one we think of when you say pumpkin). A pumpkin doesnt have a hard definition, its just a family of hard shelled squashes. Its just not that typical orange pumpkin.
Interesting, I never knew!
And if you would rather just buy one and have a CostCo nearby (I don’t know if Australia has CostCo), their bakery makes a fine pumpkin pie (at least here in the US). I recommend topping it with whip cream.
We do have some CostCos but not many. Bit of a hassle to get to them unless you happen to live nearby.
I know their food shop is ridiculously cheap and if iirc you don’t need to be a member to purchase it but I also wasn’t impressed with what I tried. Will keep in mind for the next time I’m around one of them though
It tastes like a latte with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice added. It’s pretty good.
Right! That sounds good. So it’s like a Chai Latte but coffe instead?
Not really, the spices are different. Chai has more bite, pumpkin spice is more of a mellow warmth. It’s difficult to describe without using American terms, because it’s the spice blend we use for pumpkin pie. If you’ve ever had one of those, then you’ll have a good idea of what to expect out of the drink.
masala blends generally lacks the allspice you’ll find in pie spice blends, but adds cardamom and pepper which gives more “bite”
I guess it’s pretty similar. Just different spices.
And cloves!
We don’t have Halloween as hard as the yanks do so we don’t have the pumpkin culture.
The drink doesn’t taste of spiced pumpkin, like the name suggests, rather it tastes of the spices you add to a pumpkin dish.
I am not a coffee drinker or pumpkin water so I have no clue how that tastes.
As for the hype, I believe it has to do with it being seasonal like hot cross buns are crazy popular at Easter, but the rest of the time they are unavailable.
That makes sense. But I wouldn’t be surprised it may be available as a novelty drink somewhere?
Mmmm hot cross buns yum
Pumpkin and fall-themed things in the US are actually largely decoupled from Halloween. You’d never, for example, see a Halloween display mixed in with fall decor items in a store.
It’s kind of the mulled wine of coffee. Warm, wintery flavors. To be honest I used to love it but in America it’s everywhere come fall so I’m pretty burnt out.
It’s also way better when it’s a more subtle flavor, but here in the States most places you order it from will overdo it to the point that it’s all pumpkin spice flavor with a hint of coffee instead of the other way around.
You are not the first to mention mulled wine, another thing I haven’t tried. Whereabouts in the world you used to live before hopping to America? (I mean, this is a thing also in Europe and other parts of the northern hemisphere?)
Mulled wine is everywhere during Christmas season in Europe.
It varies so greatly in quality that most of it just tastes like drinking a scented candle. It doesn’t help that I hate clove, which is frequently used in the spice blend.
By all means, try it if you get the chance. My experience with the flavor has been decidedly negative.
I don’t think Starbucks has a ton of locations in Australia but they do sell pumpkin spice lattes this time of year. So if you live near one, you could try it. Personally, I think they’re pretty gross but I also don’t love sweet coffee.
Hm that might explain things. I’m not a Starbucks fan… I’ve been a few times and desisted. But thanks for the info, will keep in mind!
yeah australia is really good at coffee and starbucks came here thinking they were the shit and realised they were, in fact, the shit tier
… however, we do have pumpkin spiced latte in our few starbucks’ right now afaik
I’m assuming they’re probably near air ports and touristy areas. They did the same thing in Italy, of all places. But they still exist there for tourists who don’t know any better.
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