Food retailers have already started introducing pumpkin spice flavor items in their menu. However, pumpkin spice flavor may not appeal to many people for a reason.
The pumpkin spice buzz usually starts in fall, from September, and normally ends in November. Various food companies introduce pumpkin spice coffee, cookies, waffles, yogurt and more, which attracts many pumpkin lovers. Americans are believed to spend about $300 million each year on pumpkin-flavored products. However, these food items may not necessarily contain pumpkin, they may just contain pumpkin flavor, which may not be good for the health of many food lovers.
Companies like Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts take full advantage of the pumpkin craving during the season. Both the companies have an array of pumpkin flavor-based items on their menu to attract more customers.
Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte has become the most popular seasonal item on its menu after its launch a decade ago. The company has sold 200 million Pumpkin Spice Lattes since its launch. Food experts reveal that the Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte includes 37 grams of sugar, which accounts to around 7 tea spoons in just one drink. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an adult to have only 25 grams of sugar per day.
Vani Hari, a food blogger commonly known as Food Babe, seems to have done good research on Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte and reveals that there is no real pumpkin in the drink. In fact, the latte has some ingredients, which may be harmful to the human body.
The food blogger also reached out to Starbucks and got a list of ingredients used in its seasonal popular Pumpkin Spice Latte.
"The Pumpkin Spice Latte is of pumpkin and traditional fall spice flavors combined with espresso and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice," per the ingredients list sent to Food Babe by Starbucks, which does not contain real pumpkin at all.
Food experts suggest that real pumpkin has many nutritional advantages. A portion of pumpkins has enough potassium found in one banana and also contains as much fiber as found in high-fiber cereals. Pumpkins also have several vitamins and iron, which are good for health. People can make soups and desserts with pumpkins but should keep a count on sugar added to the dishes.
Pumpkin Spice Latte and other pumpkin-flavored food items may continue to attract more customers, but it does not offer any nutritional benefits when compared to items made with real pumpkins.
