Masuk Free Press

Fall is upon us, and with that comes a cacophony of pumpkin spice-flavored goods. Every single food brand seems to release a new limited edition pumpkin spiced flavored good this time of year. With entire aisles dedicated to these limited edition fall flavor products, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the many choices. 

I decided to take it upon myself to review some of these pumpkin spice products, to determine what products, if any, are worth buying, and which products are just “capitalism fails.” After a lengthy and tasty research process, I have compiled a list of some of the best (and worst) pumpkin spice products.

6.) Swiss Miss Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa

This was a product that caught my eye as I was browsing Big Y, but I was sadly left disappointed by the bleak and underwhelming taste.  Don’t be tricked by Swiss Miss’s endearing packaging, the product is anything but charming. After trying Swiss Miss’s Pumpkin Spice Latte, I can confirm that the only thing true about the packaging was the Miss part.

5.) Pumpkin Spice Pop Tarts

I was initially eager to try these pumpkin-themed toaster pastries, however after sampling these thoroughly I can confidently say that the Pumpkin Spice Pop Tarts fell a little bit short. Although the initial bite was somewhat enjoyable, I soon felt overwhelmed by the overall dryness of the pumpkin-flavored breakfast strudel. The feeling of eating just one of these was similar to eating a handful of sand, the only difference being that sand is probably a lot healthier. The only thing that places these slightly higher than the hot cocoa, was that the initial bite was enjoyable.

4.) Chobani Pumpkin Spice Yogurt

I spent three weeks procrastinating eating this bacteria fermented pumpkin spice milk only for it to be mediocre. I tried the Chobani pumpkin spice-flavored yogurt, which tasted like just a standard yogurt with the slightest hint of cinnamon. I like yogurt so it was overall an enjoyable product, however, if you’re looking for something pumpkin spice this is not the buy for you.

3.) Pumpkin Spice Chai

Honestly, the only reason this product is so low on the list is because it’s hit or miss depending on where you go. The differing results of the quality of pumpkin spice chai frustrate me. Of the three mass-produced Pumpkin Spice Chai’s I sampled, I can say that Starbucks’ is the best. It is not even a close competition. In second comes Tazo’s Pumpkin Spice Chai, which just felt watered down and a little sad. And lastly is Dunkin’s, which was so disappointing that I don’t even want to include it on this list, but alas, I must. A good Pumpkin Spice Chai will leave you warm and fuzzy, delighted for the wonderful season that is fall. A bad Pumpkin Spice Chai will leave you feeling sad and disappointed. This variability in taste and quality places Pumpkin Spice Chai’s where they are on this list.

2.) Pumpkin Spice Oreos

I don’t know what to say about Pumpkin Spice Oreos except they’re perfectly acceptable. They’re an excellent fall snack, small enough to be bite-size, yet large enough to fill my pumpkin spice craving. Although they don’t even compare the deliciousness of the classic Oreo, they stand out as something I will be looking forward to next fall. They’re not disgusting, yet they’re not the best either. Pumpkin Spice Oreos lie somewhere in the middle, a simple, yet delightful treat, which is what cements their place on this list.

1. Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Spice Lattes, in my opinion, are the single greatest thing to ever happen to fall. A single sip of a pumpkin spice latte is equivalent to a second in heaven, it doesn’t even matter where they are from. Every single one is good. I have been to Dunkin Donuts five times (for research purposes), and five out of five times they have messed up my drink order, yet I do not care; that’s how good the pumpkin spice latte is. The mixture of the creamy and sweet flavors from the pumpkin spice creamer and the bitterness of the expresso makes pumpkin spice lattes the perfect drink for the fall. Pumpkin spice latte does a great job showcasing pumpkin’s amazing flavor while also ensuring it’s not too overpowering. All of these reasons combine to make Pumpkin Spice Lattes the pinnacle of perfection for all pumpkin spice products. After spending three weeks of my life consuming the varying different types of pumpkin-themed products, I truly feel enlightened about the effects that pumpkin spice can have. Although I might have disagreed with the making of some of these pumpkin spice merchandising, I can understand and appreciate the effects they had on the fall. Pumpkin Spice is more than just a flavor, it’s a staple in the fall culture. They are fun silly food-stuffs that bring joy and excitement to fall. I can personally state with confidence that I will be purchasing and eating some of these pumpkin spice products again, and I hope you go out and try some too.