Many people gravitate toward autumn’s pull; they fall under its magic spell — and it’s understandable. People can immerse themselves in apple orchards and pumpkin patches during the day, and go to haunted attractions at night. What better way to incorporate the essence of fall into your food than in the form of nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger?  Pumpkin spice has become the iconic flavor of autumn.

People enjoy the flavors of fall in the form of lattes, donuts, pies, pop tarts, and even pringles. The most famous pumpkin spice item is the pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. With more than 200 million sold to date, these drinks sell like hotcakes this time of year. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz says it “still ranks as its most popular seasonal beverage,”  according to foodbabe.com. But, does anyone know what’s really in it?

Surprisingly, the pumpkin spice latte does not include real pumpkin. It contains caramel color level four, a coloring made with ammonia and considered a carcinogen, preservatives and sulfites, as well as a toxic 50 grams of sugar in the size “Grande.” Needless to say, I prefer a more natural approach to pumpkin spice.

Pumpkin flavored baked goods are able to hit the mark fairly easily. Real cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and pumpkin are usually included. The spices are strong but not overwhelming or artificial. They really add to the dessert, making you feel like you’re on pumpkin cloud nine.

I have had my fair share of pumpkin spice products, including the infamous pumpkin spice latte. The hype on pumpkin spice is understandable — the hype on the pumpkin spice latte is not. Although I don’t consider myself a coffee connoisseur, I think I am capable of deciphering good quality coffee from bad quality coffee. The mounds of sugar and cinnamon thrown into the latte give an artificial taste; enough to make you sick.

With all that said, I do love pumpkin spice and look forward to trying the new products that come out every year, regardless of the bad taste the pumpkin spice latte leaves in my mouth.