There’s no doubt that both apple cinnamon and pumpkin spice flavors are delicious, but which is the better fall flavoring? Pumpkin spice may be beloved and iconic, but apple cinnamon is classic and crisp. Pumpkin pies and apple pies are both delicious fall treats, but which will you take at the dessert table?
When fall comes around, pumpkin spice lovers flock to Starbucks for the return of their favorite seasonal latte, and even those who aren’t big coffee drinkers will wait in line forever for this warm and cozy flavor. While it’s a common stereotype that fall lovers can’t get over pumpkin spice lattes, it’s not all Starbucks offers on their season menu. Though not as popular, apple cinnamon and other apple flavors are just as good as pumpkin spice.
When you stop at the Blue Bean in the Baugher Student Center (BSC), there are plenty of options to choose from on both sides, such as the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso or the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte. With the newer Starbucks items added to the fall menu, I personally think the apple crisp oatmilk drinks are better than the pumpkin spice drinks, but that may be because of them being new and exciting. I definitely think there is a steady decline in the hype surrounding pumpkin spice and a rise in apple cinnamon flavors’ popularity.
It’s not just drinks that contribute to the flavors’ rivalry, but also desserts. Both apple cinnamon and pumpkin spice are great flavors for baking in the fall and both are synonymous with getting cozy in the cooler weather. However, some could argue that apple cinnamon isn’t as specific to fall as pumpkin spice is. Apple cinnamon often carries over into the winter season and is associated with Christmas and Yule recipes and traditions, while pumpkin spice thrives specifically in fall. But does apple cinnamon’s versatility help or hinder its cause? Since we can enjoy it for a longer stretch of time, for some people this only endears it to them more. In pumpkin spice’s defense, it is more specific to fall which elevates its iconic nature.
Recently, I’ve been seeing more apple cinnamon flavored desserts than ever before. Recipes for apple crumb cakes, apple pies, apple cinnamon muffins and much more. While I do see plenty of pumpkin spice recipes, like pumpkin spice cream cheese cookies, when it comes to desserts, it seems apple cinnamon is the most versatile and popular.
So, apple cinnamon is the iconic fall baking flavor and pumpkin spice is the iconic fall drink flavor, but pumpkin spice is better associated with fall. So does being more popular make it the better fall flavor? Personally, I prefer apple cinnamon to pumpkin spice, but mostly because I’m more of a dessert person and I love to bake, but even I can’t deny pumpkin spice’s hold on the fall season.
