Not Your Average Pumpkin Spice

It’s officially Pumpkin Spice season. You’ll see it everywhere from pies and cookies to coffees, teas, and even milkshakes. While the average pumpkin spice latte is chock full of added sugar and unnecessary calories, this spice actually has a rich nutritional foundation. Taking matters into your own hands and creating some fall specialties at home can help you savor this flavor without all the junk.

What’s in ‘pumpkin spice’ anyway? Usually this blend of flavors includes cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Each with its own unique flavor profile and nutritional base, these ingredients together pack a powerful punch not just for your tastebuds but also for your overall health.

We get the blood sugar leveling benefits of cinnamon, and some fiber and vitamin B from the nutmeg. However, the star of the show is the ginger. This powerful powder made from ginger root not only brings iron and potassium to the mix, but is also believed to soothe digestive issues.

To truly enjoy the richness of this seasonal flavor, let me encourage you to play with these ingredients and make your own mix at home. Anytime you can create something from scratch in your own kitchen you take control of added sugar and preservatives to create a much cleaner food item. I encourage this approach with any ‘treat’ meal.

Here is a base to start with to create your own Pumpkin Spice.

Mix together: 1/4 cup ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg 2 tablespoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground allspice Optional ingredients include: 1 tablespoon ground cardamom 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Do you prefer your pumpkin spice a little spicier than average? Add another teaspoon of ginger. Want a deeper, richer flavor? Add a teaspoon of cloves. Want to tone down the flavor a little? Add a pinch of vanilla. The recipe is yours to tweak until it suits your own personal pumpkin spice preference.

Now that you have your own mix, you can sprinkle it on to oatmeal, top your coffee with it, add it to your smoothie. The recipe is yours and the options are endless!

I bet you can create your own personal perfect Pumpkin Spice Latte. Start with this as your base and get creative:

Mix 1 cup of milk with 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon of your pumpkin spice mix. Heat in the microwave for :60. Once heated, whip vigorously until the milk is light and frothy. Pour over a cup of hot coffee and voila! Enjoy a healthy and flavorful fall treat!

BY CHRISTY BARONI • PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN