Good Eats By Nanette Wiser
Everything’s Coming Up Pumpkin … Fall Mood Enticements!
Pumpkin spice came early this year in August when Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks debuted their annual pumpkin spice latte (PSL), pumpkin flavored drinks and desserts, even flavored bacon. It’s been 17 years since Starbucks first introduced Pumpkin Spice Latte and 7-11 is entering the fray with pumpkin flavored drinks as well in Sept. Call it pumpkin creep, once the “it” flavor of fall, now trending during the dog days of summer.
Pumpkin is a cash cow. According to Nielsen data, annual sales of pumpkin spice-flavored products in 2019 totaled nearly $512 million; Starbucks sold almost $424 million since its inception. We need PSL comfort more than ever in 2020’s crazy roller coaster ride, and Starbucks has launched a good feel PSL hotline (1-833-GET-FALL), with autumn soundscapes such as “head out on a hayride,” “hear ‘flannel’ on repeat,” “lovely leaf-crunching stroll,” and “knit sweaters with Grandpa.”
Local coffeehouses and breweries offer signature pumpkin beverages and beers (hoping 3 Daughters brings back Pumpkin Sour Beer), including pumpkin lattes, muffins, donuts and teas. At the grocery store, you’ll find Boom Chicka Pop pumpkin spice kettle corn, Pepperidge Farm pumpkin cheesecake soft baked cookies, Swiss Miss pumpkin spice cocoa, even PSL pancake mix. Keep an eye out for pumpkin cheesecake on the dessert menus and in bakeries this fall.
One of our favorite shops, The Spice & Tea Exchange in John’s Pass, just opened another location in Sundial, where you can buy pumpkin spice, teas and scented candles (pumpkin pie a la mode). There you shop 140+ fine spices, 85+ hand-mixed seasoning blends, sugars, salts, loose-leaf teas, gourmet gifts and accessories while you watch the Spice Masters at work while enjoying a fresh brew from the Tea Bar.
Perhaps my favorite pumpkin incarnation is pumpkin ravioli, simply the best at daSesto Italian Ristorante. Although not still on the menu, I dined at Cassis in 2018 where I enjoyed Atlantic salmon served with pumpkin ravioli, green asparagus, and Grand Marnier beurre blanc. (Please revive!)
Want to get in on the PSL craze at home? Jumpstart your morning with this recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp. pumpkin purée
- 1 tbsp. maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, plus more for garnish
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup hot espresso or coffee
- Whipped cream, for garnish
Directions: In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk
together milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, spice, and vanilla extract. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is warmed, then blend mixture with an immersion blender until frothy. Pour hot espresso into a mug, then top with pumpkin-spice foamed milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.