When it comes to the beginning of the fall season, one thing goes hand in hand with the leaves falling, the cooler weather and the return of all things spooky pumpkin spice.
For years, pumpkin and pumpkin spice has been a staple flavor during the fall season, and come in a variety of foods, from coffee to bread, to yogurt.
In case you’ve been planning to get out to fill your pumpkin spice cravings sometime soon, here’s a review of some of the options around town:
My Mochi Pumpkin Spice Mochi Ice Cream
Pumpkin Flavor – 7/10
Does it get you in the fall spirit? – Somewhat
This ice cream was surprisingly pleasant. Despite me typically disliking mochi ice cream as a whole, this one, in particular, had a very traditional pumpkin spice flavor. If you’re a fan of all the typical pumpkin spice flavored treats, this doesn’t “fall” far from the tree at all.
However, since it is ice cream, it doesn’t really bring all the cozy fall vibes you might be expecting at this time of year. While it’s a nice treat, if it’s cold outside, this might not be the first product you’d think of grabbing.
Little Debbie Pumpkin Spice Rolls
Pumpkin Flavor – 4/10
Does it get you in the fall spirit? – No
Honestly, these were less desirable than imagined. Little Debbie is typically on the A-list for all things snacking, and although these were good, they didn’t bring much of the pumpkin spice flavor it advertised. A small hint of pumpkin is distinguishable, but overall, the frosting takes over most of the roll’s flavor, making it more closely resemble the classic snack rolls. If you’re a fan of Little Debbie snacks, you’ll most definitely enjoy these, just don’t expect too much on the pumpkin spice flavor end.
Entenmann’s Little Bites Pumpkin Muffins
Pumpkin Flavor – 8/10
Does it get you in the fall spirit? – Somewhat
While not necessarily pumpkin spice flavored, these tiny pre-packaged muffins brought an outstanding pumpkin flavor to the table. No matter what flavor you get, these muffins always seem to steal the hearts of anyone that tries them, and this limited-edition flavor is no exception. If you’re looking for that spice component, these snacks might not be your ideal choice. However, in a relatable aspect, these closely resembled the flavor of the well-known pumpkin muffins from Panera Bread or Costco, and bring all the pumpkin goodness that you could desire in a small, snack-size bag.
Noosa Pumpkin Yogurt
Pumpkin Flavor – 9/10
Does it get you in the fall spirit? – Yes
Just to get it out of the way, this yogurt is top tier. I was a bit hesitant to try it at first, due to wondering if it would be possible for the mild, earthy flavor of pumpkin to pair nicely with the tang of yogurt, but indeed, it works. Despite also not being specifically pumpkin spice flavor, the spice was definitely there. This tasted exactly like a pumpkin pie, just presented in an acceptable-for-breakfast way. Out of all the items on this list, this is probably the one I would most likely go out of my way to buy again. It encapsulates all the flavors you imagine when you think of fall immaculately, and in terms of this review, it can’t get much better than that.
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
Pumpkin Flavor – 1/10
Does it get you in the fall spirit? – No
The icon of all things pumpkin – the vision of fall – the classic PSL. Honestly, I was pretty excited to try this, due to how popular it is amongst Starbucks regulars and new timers alike. However, after tasting it, I couldn’t get nearly any pumpkin flavor. It just tasted like a classic coffee. I thought I might have just got the wrong drink, so I went to another Starbucks and got a second one, however, this one still gave the regular coffee and zero pumpkin taste. After asking the barista, I was told that PSLs don’t have much pumpkin flavor at all due to the added espresso. So, despite popular opinion, these sadly weren’t all that I was expecting, and despite the PSL’s massive fanbase, I have to say this was a no-go.
Great Value Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows
Pumpkin Flavor – 1/10
Does it get you in the fall spirit? – No
Don’t let the pumpkin shape and orange color of these mislead you, these taste absolutely nothing like the other pumpkin spice flavored counterparts. Regarding the taste, they’re good. It tastes just like your average marshmallow, which in this case is exactly the problem. In terms of pumpkin spice flavor, these carry none of it. I’d suggest picking up something else to satisfy your pumpkin cravings.
