Written By Kaitlyn Rosenburg Coffee & Tea / Libations / Recipes Oct 27, 2014 A Pumpkin Latte a Day Keeps the Witches Away SHARE VIA: Facebook Twitter PinterestIn an alternate universe, the harvesting of crops, a crisp chill in the air and shorter days would mark the arrival of fall. Instead, the release of the pumpkin spice latte (#PSL for short) triggers the transition. Starbucks — of course — holds the keys to this sacred tradition.This year Starbucks released their pumpkin spice latte in late August. I’d be cautious to call the PSL a cultural phenomenon, although the company did trademark the acronym in 2013. Customers are invited to connect with the PSL on Twitter and Tumblr, and Starbucks reports more than 200 million have been ordered since their introduction in 2003.The recipe has remained the same for the past 11 years. However, missing from the formula is real pumpkin. Feeling duped by the lack of actual pumpkin, I devised my own pumpkin syrup that’s heavy on the orange stuff.Once cooked, the syrup takes on a thicker consistency, akin to applesauce. A full batch makes almost two cups. For those less inclined to hit the caffeine, I’ve found steamed pumpkin milk (almond milk would also be amazing) hits the spot. I’ve also sautéed firm pears and apples with a few tablespoons of the pumpkin syrup to serve over ice cream.Don’t worry if the finished product tastes overly sweet — it invariably will! Any strong espresso or dark coffee will cut through the sugar.Pumpkin brews have also found shelf space this season, including Phillips’ Crooked Tooth and Crookeder Tooth pumpkin ale, and Sea Cider’s Witches Brew semi-sweet cider.If you’re looking to pick up a pumpkin latte around town, Starbucks is an obvious option. Tim Hortons has recently made a move on the pumpkin drink market but, apologies, I haven’t worked up the courage to test out their offering. Fernwood Coffee has a honey macchiato on their fall menu. Hey Happy Coffee’s seasonal drink is a sarsaparilla (root beer) latte, made in-house with autumn roots and spices. Shatterbox Coffee are serving a graham cracker latte, complete with its own hashtag, the #CGL. Share your favourite fall beverages with EAT on Twitter or Facebook. We’d also love to see your fall food traditions. Tag your photos with @eatmag on Instagram or tweet us using @eatmagazine and show us how you’re using the maple pumpkin syrup. Maple Pumpkin Latte 1 ½ cups real pumpkin puree (Not canned pumpkin pie)1 cup water½ cup brown sugar½ cup maple syrup2 tsp pumpkin pie spice mix (Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove)2 tsp vanilla extractMethodCombine water, sugar, and maple syrup in a small saucepan. Set over medium heat and cook until all sugar has dissolved. Turn heat to medium-low and bring to a light boil, reducing the liquid by a third.Add pumpkin, spices and vanilla. Stir to combine and cook for another 5 minutes until fragrant.Cool completely and refrigerate in a sealed container for up to two weeks.To make a latte, brew your favourite espresso and steam your milk of choice. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of the pumpkin syrup (depending on the size of your mug) with the coffee. Combine with milk and top with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.For those without an espresso machine, brew an extra strong cup of coffee and combine with the syrup. Heat milk over the stove and froth with a whisk. Combine with coffee.pslpumpkinpumpkin spicepumpkin spice latteshatterbox coffee SHARE VIA: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Written By: Kaitlyn Rosenburg Kaitlyn Rosenburg holds a BFA in creative writing with a minor in journalism and publishing from the University of Victoria. Her work has appeared in local publications such as The Martlet, as well as national publications like ... Read More You may also like Coffee & Tea / Victoria December 18, 2017 Level Ground Trading Moves Up to New State-of-the-Art Headquarters Victoria, BC – Level Ground Trading, Victoria’s Fair Trade pioneer, is moving from their current location in Central Saanich, to a larger ... Read More Coffee & Tea March 7, 2017 Is Your Coffee in Season? GROWING UP IN MANITOBA TAUGHT ME TO APPRECIATE SEASONAL fruits and vegetables. Unlike Vancouver Island, Manitoba has a brief growing season. All of ... Read More Coffee & Tea / Interesting Locals April 22, 2016 The Caffe Fantastico Story “A full of beans love story for owners Ryan and Kristy Taylor.” It’s a Thursday morning at Caffe Fantastico. You are standing in line ... Read More Coffee & Tea / First Look / Victoria December 23, 2015 Hide + Seek Coffee: A New Coffee Shop in Oak Bay If you are a visitor to Oak Bay village, you may have noticed the papered window in one of the empty stores in the historic Bell Block. In a clean, ... Read More Coffee & Tea August 10, 2015 An Interview with Oughtred Coffee’s Director of Coffee & Co-owner Michael Oughtred Oughtred Coffee & Tea has been roasting and selling coffee in Nanaimo since 1973. Over the years they have grown to serve much of Western ... Read More Coffee & Tea May 25, 2015 Nitro-Infused Coffee is THE Thing This Summer ... Read More Comments are closed.
Coffee & Tea / Victoria December 18, 2017 Level Ground Trading Moves Up to New State-of-the-Art Headquarters Victoria, BC – Level Ground Trading, Victoria’s Fair Trade pioneer, is moving from their current location in Central Saanich, to a larger ... Read More
Coffee & Tea March 7, 2017 Is Your Coffee in Season? GROWING UP IN MANITOBA TAUGHT ME TO APPRECIATE SEASONAL fruits and vegetables. Unlike Vancouver Island, Manitoba has a brief growing season. All of ... Read More
Coffee & Tea / Interesting Locals April 22, 2016 The Caffe Fantastico Story “A full of beans love story for owners Ryan and Kristy Taylor.” It’s a Thursday morning at Caffe Fantastico. You are standing in line ... Read More
Coffee & Tea / First Look / Victoria December 23, 2015 Hide + Seek Coffee: A New Coffee Shop in Oak Bay If you are a visitor to Oak Bay village, you may have noticed the papered window in one of the empty stores in the historic Bell Block. In a clean, ... Read More
Coffee & Tea August 10, 2015 An Interview with Oughtred Coffee’s Director of Coffee & Co-owner Michael Oughtred Oughtred Coffee & Tea has been roasting and selling coffee in Nanaimo since 1973. Over the years they have grown to serve much of Western ... Read More
2024 Issue / EAT Magazine News Jan 7, 2024 Fare Well IT WITH WITH PROFOUND sadness and regret that I write this final letter in the final issue of EAT magazine. The decision to cease publication is one ... Read More
2024 Issue / Magazine Jan 7, 2024 January | February 2024 Issue 28-01 The final issue of EAT magazine available ... Read More
Wine Festivals Feb 28, 2013 From the VanWineFest : Wednesday Although the 35th annual Vancouver Wine Festival began Monday evening with wine dinners around town, EAT joined the festivities mid-week, and at the ... Read More