Step Aside, Pumpkin Spice – There’s A New Leading Favorite Fall Flavor
Here in the CSRA, we’re still experiencing extremely hot temperatures on a daily basis. And if you’re from the area, you know that warm weather tends to stick around well into September and October, or even later. Despite the fact that it’s only mid-August, many brands are already launching their fall flavors. For years, there has been major hype around pumpkin spice season, but it looks like there’s a new leading favorite fall flavor.
Pumpkin Spice
When you think of fall flavors, it’s not surprising that pumpkin spice is the first thing you think of. There has been quite a stir around the flavor for quite some time. Some say the craze around the flavor started back in 2003 when Starbucks rolled out their Pumpkin Spice Latte for the first time. But the truth is, the blend of spices to create it (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves) dates back to the 1700s. And the spice blend has been used in American baking for centuries. In the 1930s, spice companies began launching a pre-blended mix of the spices so consumers only had to buy the one versus buying several.
While the spice blend was mostly used for pie, there were other uses for it, though who first added it to coffee is unknown. But for Starbucks, it was their director of espresso at the time, Peter Dukes’, idea to add the flavor to a latte and create other seasonal drinks. And the obsession began.
It seems the launch of pumpkin spice flavored everything starts earlier and earlier. This year, Krispy Kreme launched their pumpkin-flavored items on Monday, August 12th. According for food blogger Markie Devo, at Starbucks, the first half of their fall menu is expected to drop on Thursday, August 22nd, with more coming September 19th. As for Dunkin, we don’t have a release date just yet (last year it was on Wednesday, August 16th).
For some, they look forward to PSL season all year long, some welcoming it as a sign of the fall season. Not only are people consuming lattes featuring the blend, but there’s an array of various things, including cream cheese spread, Oreos, cakes, cinnamon rolls, spreads, and more.
Other Fall Flavors
Even though there is quite the hype around pumpkin spice, there are other flavors associated with the fall season. Apple, cinnamon, salted caramel, and maple are a few that come to mind. All Recipes also includes chai, pear, brown butter, and bourbon in their list of fall flavors.
With apple picking taking place in the fall, it makes sense this flavor would often be associated with Autumn. As for cinnamon, it’s a warm spice that goes well with other things, including apple, sugar, and vanilla.
With so many options, there’s been new research into the favorite fall flavor, and this time around, pumpkin spice did not reign supreme.
Favorite Fall Flavor
In a survey conducted by Post Honey Bunches of Oats, 2,000 U.S. adults were asked about their favorite fall flavor, with 58 percent believing there was a better fall flavor than pumpkin spice. In fact, 45 percent revealed their are tired of the basic pumpkin spice flavors, including 52 percent of millenials.
Not only did pumpkin spice not make the top spot, there were actually three flavors ranked above it. Results shows 36 percent of respondents prefer candy apple, while 39 percent chose salted caramel. But what flavor ranked number one?
Cinnamon! Of those surveyed, 39 percent ranked cinnamon above pumpkin spice when it comes to a favorite fall flavor. But the thing about cinnamon and salted caramel, these are flavors 35 percent of respondents feel you can enjoy anytime throughout the year. With pumpkin spice and candy apple, most felt those should be reserved strictly for the fall season.
No matter which flavor you prefer, the things that come along with fall are still a ways down the road for those of us here in the South. But while you wait, it seems you can go ahead and start enjoying those fall flavors, if you like. Although you might prefer an iced latte over hot coffee for now.
