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Ever since Starbucks introduced the pumpkin spice latte in the fall of 2003, pumpkin spice has injected itself into our annual fall rituals. It feels as though fall doesn’t begin until you take that first sip of cinnamon and pumpkin. 

It wasn’t until the past few years that pumpkin lattes started to become more popular in the Korean market. And yes, pumpkin lattes and pumpkin spice lattes ARE different. Pumpkin lattes don’t tend to have any caffeine in them and are sweeter, so if you’re looking for a morning pick-me-up, it’s best to stick with the classic pumpkin spice. 

The popular fall beverage that started in America has found its way to South Korea, popping up at eateries and cafes in Itaewon, such as Plant. Starbucks Korea even introduced a "pumpkin latte" last year for the first time, but it was much different from the original recipe and if you wanted that spice kick, you needed to go to the condiment bar yourself to add the cinnamon. 

Pumpkin spice is here to stay and is only getting more popular, so we should be able to enjoy it from anywhere, including our sofas. 

Do-It-Yourself (DIY)

Maybe with everything going on, you don’t want to deal with traffic or public transportation to run to your local cafe. Maybe it’s your day off and you simply want to enjoy your favorite fall beverage from the comfort of your own home. 

If you love fall and pumpkin as much as we do, you’re going to want to take note of these steps to ensure you can enjoy this seasonal tradition from anywhere. 

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What You Need

• 2-3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 2 cups milk of your choice 
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½-1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• Brewed coffee or espresso

You can also add additional or extra toppings to your drink if you prefer, such as nutmeg and cinnamon. 

Instructions

1. Prepare your preferred choice of coffee.

2. In a pot or pan, whisk together the 2 cups of milk, 2-3 tablespoons of pumpkin puree base, and 1 tablespoon of light brown sugar. 

3. Cook the ingredients over medium heat, ensuring that you don’t let the milk get to a boil. Stir regularly. 

4. After removing the pot of ingredients from the range, you may now add in the pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract, ensuring you whisk and mix the ingredients well. 

5. Add in your coffee of choice, whisking with the ingredients until it looks frothy (where there appears to be many small bubbles). 

6. Judging by your preference, you can make it sweeter or add toppings such as cinnamon, whipped cream, and nutmeg. 

If you’re looking to make your beverage a little healthier, you can use skim milk instead as your base and choose to skip the whipped cream and toppings. 

Another option is adding some pumpkin puree to your favorite coffee of choice, whether it be brewed coffee or espresso. This removes many of the added calories and sugars, leaving you with a healthier, stronger drink. 

Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels

You’re now ready to enjoy the holidays even more. 

Happy PSL season!

From Hugh Inc.

 

Sources:
Pumpkin Spice Latte