The pumpkin spice flavor dominates when it comes to the flavored coffee niche. Every coffee enthusiast will tell you that. Food corporations have gone crazy with it. We have the pumpkin spice ice cream, pumpkin spice-flavored almonds, and most importantly, the popular pumpkin spice flavored lattes and frappuccino.
This guide will go over everything you need to understand about the two. Let’s get started.
Pumpkin Spice Latte vs Frappuccino
The pumpkin spice frappuccino is a twist on the traditional pumpkin spice latte. It has all essential components, including milk, syrup, spices, and coffee. On top of that, the frappuccino combines the ice into an almost milkshake-like consistency for a thick, creamy pumpkin spice delight.
As we all know, Starbucks‘ term for blended beverages is frappuccino. They will not include espresso unless you expressly request it, although some will have coffee. They are sweetened with syrups and then with bases (which also act as binding agents, preventing your drink from separating right away).
Espresso, heated milk, and delicate microfoam make up a latte. You can incorporate syrups, and the drink can be served ice cold with no foam.
Pumpkin spice latte vs frappuccino caffeine content
The Pumpkin Spice Latte may conjure up images of an energizing burst of autumn enthusiasm. Some of that is likely due to the pumpkin and fall spices in the drink, while the remainder is owing to the caffeine concentration. The PSL is prepared with actual pumpkin, steamed milk, autumn spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove), and espresso. A Tall (12 oz.) Pumpkin Spice Latte includes 75 mg of caffeine due to the espresso (identical to one shot of espresso).
Is it possible to order a frappuccino without caffeine at Starbucks?
Yes, at Starbucks, you can order a frappuccino without coffee by selecting a creme frappuccino. It would be best if you avoided crème frappuccinos with chocolate or tea since, while they do not include coffee, they do contain caffeine.
Caffeine-sensitive individuals or those seeking beverages with a coffee flavor that will not put them at risk for unwanted effects should go with this beverage.
Pumpkin spice frappuccino taste
The mouthfeel is rich and creamy. It’s sweet but not syrupy, and autumn flavors like pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, and caramel shine through each drink. It’s a delightful and savory mixture that never gets old.
The coolness, additional richness, and texture set it apart from the standard Latte version.
What makes up the pumpkin spice mix
Pumpkin pie spices combine many spices, including ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. These ingredients are the most popular components in many pumpkin pie spice recipes, but there might be some variance.
Some individuals could also add allspice and ground cloves to their spices mix, depending on the ingredients they have on hand. I favor preparing a four-ingredient spice blend with cinnamon and ginger as the main tastes, followed by nutmeg and cloves.
Starbucks Pumpkin spice frappuccino vs Homemade
Starbucks has a very sugary, artificial pumpkin pie spice flavor (cinnamon and nutmeg). Homemade tastes are great with a pumpkin puree flavor. It is really simple and inexpensive if you want to create one and test it yourself.
Is the pumpkin spice frappuccino gluten-free?
Many individuals have experienced being glutened by Starbucks’ many flavored coffee delights. This comprises the famous seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte, which isn’t gluten-free. Due to cross-contamination, Starbucks cannot ensure that the drink does not contain significant gluten.
It’s safe to conclude that none of Starbucks’ famous seasonal beverages are suitable for a gluten-free diet.
In addition, there is contradictory information about whether Starbucks’ frappuccino mix includes gluten. However, other components (such as the java chips and some sprinkles) are unquestionably gluten-free.
The equipment used to combine such beverages is not adequately cleaned in between uses to remove trace traces of gluten. If you must have a frappuccino-style beverage, stick to the packaged, gluten-free-labeled alternatives in the refrigerator.
Making Pumpkin Spice Latte Vs Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
To prepare the pumpkin spice latte:
Ingredients needed
- Milk
- Pumpkin puree
- Sugar
- Vanilla and pumpkin spice syrup
- Coffee
- Cream (optional)
Steps
- In a saucepan over medium heat.
- Combine the milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar.
- Heat till heated but not boiling.
- Whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and coffee after removing the skillet from the heat.
- Pour the mixture into two cups.
- Serve with whipped cream and a sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice on top.
Bonus Tip
- If you have the opportunity, slowly simmer the milk, pumpkin purée, pumpkin spice, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan for approximately 5 minutes while stirring to let the flavors permeate.
- Instead of coffee, try steaming pumpkin-flavored milk.
- Make your pumpkin pie spice by combining a 4:1:1 ratio of ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. One teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, for example, will make 1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice. If you use this combination frequently, make a batch and keep it in a small jar.
To prepare the pumpkin spice frappuccino:
Ingredients needed
- Pumpkin spice Syrup
- milk
- Ice cubes
- Pinch of salt
- xanthan gum
- Whipped cream
Steps
- Allow time for the pumpkin sauce to cool before using.
- Mix all of the ingredients for the pumpkin spice frappuccino for 1-2 minutes in a blender.
- Allow the frappuccino to thicken in the blender after you have turned it off.
- If preferred, serve the frappuccino with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice in a big glass.
Bonus Tips
Ice is a key component in any frappuccino recipe. As a result, I strongly advise using ice prepared from purified water.
This way, no strange flavors from tap water will damage the flavor of your beloved pumpkin spice frappuccino. I advocate preparing any tea or coffee drink with filtered water. It makes a world of difference. Furthermore, milk is an essential component of a frappuccino.
For all of its frappuccino recipes, Starbucks utilizes full milk. As you are probably aware, you may replace one sort of milk with another. Just keep in mind that this is something that alters the richness of the frappuccino.
How to make a healthy pumpkin spice latte
Excess intake of any food or drink is harmful to your health. A pumpkin spice latte has sugar, caffeine, and whipped cream. However, it shouldn’t be technically one of your five a day; it’s OK as an occasional indulgence.
I recommend asking for nonfat milk and skipping the whipped cream. This cuts the calories in a grande cup by 120, resulting in 260 calories, 0 grams of fat, 51 grams of carbohydrates, and 49 grams of sugar.
Request almond milk instead of whipped cream for an even healthier (and dairy-free) variation. This decreases the drink’s calorie count to 230.
How to make your pumpkin spice latte vegan
- Toss your ice cubes in a blender and mix a few times to split them up.
- The ice will often get thick and clumpy, which you want to prevent; thus, pre-blending the ice is advantageous! In a blender, add pumpkin puree, maple syrup, sugar, pumpkin pie spices, coffee, and nondairy milk to create this recipe.
- Next, pulse and mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no clumps.
I also prefer to use vegan creamer, but it’s OK if you haven’t any!
How to make a pumpkin spice latte with a Keurig Machine
If you own a Keurig machine, the procedure is much more straightforward. Nespresso machines are dependable equipment that makes a delicious cup of coffee. It’s simpler than you would think to make a handmade pumpkin spice latte with a Keurig machine.
You’ll need a k-cup, some fresh milk, and some spices. This recipe is simple and quick to prepare, yet it retains its incredible depth of flavor.
Using the 4 oz cup setting, prepare a k-cup. Combine the sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin puree in a mixing bowl. Stir. Warm the milk and gradually pour it in a while, stirring. Serve with whipped cream if desired.
What is the sugar content of the pumpkin spice latte?
A large (sixteen ozA) hot Pumpkin Spice Latte made with 2% milk has 390 calories, greater than a regular Starbucks Chocolate Croissant. However, the milk and espresso in a standard latte account for only about 50% of the Pumpkin Spice Latte’s 390 calories (190 calories).
The remaining ingredients are pumpkin spice syrup (added sugar and condensed milk instead of pure pumpkin purée) and whipped cream. The pumpkin spice latte has a total of 50 grams of sugar.
A portion of the sugar is naturally present in the milk used to prepare the latte. However, I believe the pumpkin spice latte’s syrup and whipped cream contain 712 teaspoons (32 grams) of sugar. That’s around half of the 50-gram Daily Value.
Is the pumpkin spice latte good for you?
A regular Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte has around the same sugar as 50 Skittles. Consuming high-sugar beverages regularly is a severe health risk. It contributes to bad body composition, but it also raises your chance of several negative health effects.
Regular intake of sugary beverages has been linked to an elevated risk of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association advises a daily maximum of 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men. One Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte easily surpasses both of these restrictions.
It’s perfectly OK to have a Pumpkin Spice Latte now and again. You can reduce the sugar, calorie, and fat content by lowering the quantity of “Pumpkin Sauce,” whipped cream, topping, etc. However, suppose you have one every day or almost every day during the autumn. In that case, you will likely gain weight and experience increased lethargy and exhaustion due to the sugar crashes.
In general, it’s a good idea to be aware that “Pumpkin Spice” items are frequently heavy in sugar and calories. Instead of relying on a concoction of sugars, tastes, and colors engineered to taste and look like a pumpkin, they may contain little to no actual pumpkin.
What is right for you?
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t tried any one of the pumpkin spice latte or frappuccino, it’s worth sampling both and deciding which you prefer. Both are distinctive in their own right, so it all boils down to personal taste and choice.
As I mentioned earlier in one of my blog posts, there’s no right and wrong for coffee.
Most of us expecting a little boost from our favorite beverages would likely go for a pumpkin spice latte.
While some of us looking able to entertain our “cool” pals would decide to opt for Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino.
To conclude, The ingredients needed to create both types are readily accessible on the market and reasonably priced. I hope you find what gets you on.
