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Since we’re just around the corner from Fall, we will soon be seeing the changes in our environment, beautiful colored leaves falling from the trees, cooler temperatures and changing out summer wardrobes for fall with heavier sweaters, jackets and slacks. This is a great time to get out and enjoy the brisk weather before we light the fireplace an hunker down for the long, cold winter.
The cooler temperatures also invoke certain flavors of the season. Warm tea and hot cocoa take the place of Lemonade and cold, refreshing drinks. Hearty soups and stews take the place of cold appetizers and just about any menu features new spice profiles. Whether you hate it or love it, pumpkin flavored items seem to be everywhere and our obsession seems to be growing.
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The Perfect Pair:When we think of the cooler weather, we often think of the vegetables including squash that is harvested at that time as we approach the Thanksgiving season. Many enjoy trying their hand at designing ornate jack-o-lanterns and creating new flavors that remind us of the cooler season.
Typically around September and October just about every restaurant or retail food outlet introduces harvest-inspired products for at least a couple months throughout the season.
These include:
- McDonald’s Shakes
- Starbuck’s Lattes
- Pepperidge Farm Cookies
- Dairy Queen Blizzard
- Pillsbury Grands Biscuits and Cookies
- Kit Kat Candy
- Bagels and cream cheese
- Cheerios and Frosted Flakes…. And the list goes on and on
Do people really want all those cinnamon and nutmeg flavored products? Or has the food industry taken this flavor profile too far?
Too Much and Too Soon?
This year, Starbucks introduced their harvest-inspired Latte in August, earlier this year than ever before. They also launched a new beverage, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. These beverages may be welcome seasonal treats, but there are definitely some foods that don’t pair well with the spice of the season.
- Some new harvest spiced items that have crept onto menus and grocery store shelves include:
- Chicken Wings
- Healthy Protein Powder
- Oreos
- Yogurt and nuts
- Perhaps the worst item on the list Spam!
There are certain flavors that shouldn’t be combined together, and Spam is the perfect example.
What is it?
Harvest flavored or spiced items include a blend of cinnamon, ground cloves, ginger, nutmeg, sugar and allspice in different quantities. These are bold flavors, and while they work well as an ingredient in some drinks and especially baked goods, not every product is going to take consumers by storm.
Before you start gorging on all these new seasonal items, be selective and choose items that may actually taste good and not just a seasonal novelty.
