The Pumpkin Spice Latte Blind Taste Test
Lucy Ciaramitaro
| 2 min read
Fall is here and we know what that means. ‘Tis the season for the notorious pumpkin spice latte, or “PSL”.
Believe it or not, until recently I had never had one. I enjoy my coffee black, and if I ever treat myself to a sweeter choice, it’s usually a splash of vanilla creamer or on a rare occasion, a caramel macchiato.
For my first PSL we decided to do a blind comparison of the original drink and a healthier version, created by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan registered dietitian Grace Derocha. Read on to see my reactions to both.
Pumpkin Spice Latte #1 Observations:
- First thoughts: This tastes like I’m drinking pumpkin pie…how have I not had one sooner?
- Can you still taste the coffee? Yes, but not as much as I’d like to.
- Is it too sweet? Not at all, surprisingly.
- Any other observations? It has a creamy consistency, but it still feels light. I don’t think I’d have to worry about getting a headache in an hour from drinking this.
- The verdict: Lucy-approved! Definitely not over-sweet like I was expecting, but it still tastes exactly like pumpkin pie.
Pumpkin Spice Latte #2 Observations:
- First thoughts: I can barely taste the pumpkin, so I’m guessing this is the healthier version.
- Can you still taste the coffee? Yes, but it has the bitter aftertaste of espresso, which isn’t my favorite.
- Is it too sweet? A little bit, but the strong taste of espresso sort of makes it disappear after each sip.
- Any other observations? I definitely wish I was tasting more cinnamon and pumpkin.
- The verdict: Even though I’m pretty sure this is the healthier version…I’m going to have to go with the first option. Sorry PSL #2!
The Big Reveal: To my surprise, drink #1 was the healthier, homemade pumpkin spice latte! Drink #2 was the “original” pumpkin spice latte, ordered with low-fat milk and no whip cream from the coffee shop.
It turns out I actually preferred the healthier version. Mind=blown!
Try this blind taste test at home on someone who loves their pumpkin spice latte and see if they appreciate the healthier version as much as I did.
Click here to get the recipe: A Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below!
Photo credit: Mike Miller, A Healthier Michigan (feature, inset)
