Pumpkin spice coffee became a popular craze a few years ago, though it was invented long before that. Internet users took joy in the popularity of the drink. They joked about how its main demographic was teenage girls that were trying to fit in with their peers. Many an Instagram post was adorned with cups of the pumpkin spice!
The drink shows up on the menu of most big coffee chain stores. But is that where you can find the best pumpkin spice coffee? Not necessarily! Let's find out more about this spicy drink, then I'll give you a pumpkin spice coffee recipe to make at home.
Pumpkin Spice Coffee: Now & Then
Now
Pumpkin coffee is the drink of fall! Though, I'm sure you already knew that. You may have even clutched onto a decorative, piping hot cardboard cup while you carved an actual pumpkin for Halloween. How did we come to associate it with that season?
It's all about the flavor! The main flavors to come up are cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger. Sometimes, actual pumpkin flavor is used. We traditionally associate these tastes with fall, as they give us a warming feeling. It's exactly what you need when the colder days begin to set in!
Starbucks brought the pumpkin spice latte to the US thirteen years ago. The hype seems to get bigger each year. The company has sold over 200 million cups of it since they invented it! The drink is seasonal and therefore limited, so consumers get excited when it's available. It's also become a trendy drink. These factors all help towards boosting sales.
Then
The first known reference to the now infamous flavor dates back to 1796. US chef Amelia Simmons included a recipe for pumpkin pudding in her cookbook.
During the Industrial Revolution, many Americans were moving out to urban areas. They wanted to keep a connection to their rural roots. Pumpkin pie was one means of achieving this. It represented natural goodness, home, and agriculture. The pumpkin pie flavor became an essential part of American life.
It is traditional and reminds Americans of their roots and their family.
How to Make the Best Pumpkin Spice Coffee
Pumpkin spice coffee is a nostalgic drink. In commercial coffee house settings, it is usually a one-off purchase. 72% of drinkers only buy the product once in a season. They get their fix and then go back to their regular drink.
This doesn't have to be the case with this homemade pumpkin spice coffee! You'll be able to whip this up whenever you feel like. Fall, winter, spring or summer! Learn how to make pumpkin spice coffee from home with this easy recipe.
You will need:
- Coffee beans (3 tbsp)
- Pumpkin pie spice mix (1 tsp)
- Or, make your own pumpkin spice mix. Combine nutmeg, ground all spice, ground ginger and ground cinnamon
- Water (1 cup)
- Kettle
- Coffee dripper
- Grinder
- Funnel and filter
- Cup
| The Method |
|---|---|
1. | Grind those coffee beans. Aim for grounds the size of sugar granules. Just grind what you need before brewing for maximum freshness. |
2. | Tip the coffee grounds into the filter, in the dripper above your cup. |
3. | Heat the water and let it cool for about a minute before using. Pour a little bit of water over the grounds and wait a little. |
4. | Pour the rest of the water gradually, giving some time between each pour. |
5. | The brewed coffee will drip into your cup. The thick pumpkin spice and coffee sediments will remain in the filter. |
6. | Add milk if you wish and drink up! Best served hot for those cold fall nights. |
To save time, you can buy coffee beans already infused with the pumpkin spice flavor. The mix of flavors gets added during or before the roasting period. The result is a tasty coffee with just a hint of pumpkin pie.
Roasters should use high-quality beans to get the best pumpkin spice coffee. You can be sure of a tasty drink that is quick and easy to make! You can buy whole coffee beans and grind them yourself just before brewing. Otherwise, pick up some pumpkin spice ground coffee and just add water!
Nutritional Notes
This drink is everywhere, in most independent and chain coffee stores. For that reason, the calories in pumpkin spice coffee can vary. Many stores favor the pumpkin spice latte. In this case, the calories from the full-fat foamy milk will be added to your drink. Similarly, if a cafe uses syrup instead of spices, the fat content will be higher.
Making your own drink from home with pumpkin spice coffee beans is the best method. The flavor won't add any extra calories and you can control what else you put in it.
Let's see how a regular 10 oz cup compares to a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Regular pumpkin spice coffee (10 oz) | |
|---|---|
Calories | 0 |
Total fat | 0g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 2.5mg |
Total carbohydrates | 0g |
Protein | 0g |
Caffeine | Depends on brand |
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (12 oz - tall)
| |
|---|---|
Calories | 300 |
Total fat | 11g |
Cholesterol | 45mg |
Sodium | 190mg |
Total carbohydrates | 40g |
Protein | 11g |
Caffeine | 75mg |
What other "Pumpkin Spice" Flavors can we buy?
The best pumpkin spice coffee is a perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and coffee. I was surprised to find out other things that have caught on to the flavor. In 2015, consumers spent over $500 million on products with the pumpkin spice flavor.
For some fun, here are some other pumpkin spice varieties on the market! Do you know of any others that we've missed out?
- Pumpkin spice candles
- Pumpkin spice cookies
- Pumpkin spice hummus
- Pumpkin spice French fries
- Pumpkin spice cereal
- Pumpkin spice vodka
- Pumpkin spice beer
- Pumpkin spice ice cream
The Bottom Line
The social media presence of the pumpkin spice latte is huge. So huge, in fact, that it has its own Twitter account!
Personally, I'm not interested in what the drink has to say. I'm more interested in how it tastes. For that reason, I'm going to buy some pumpkin spice beans and make myself a cup! Now I'm ready for fall!