Everything you need to know about pumpkin spice: recipes and tips

When autumn rolls around, one ingredient envelops us all in a fragrant embrace of cosiness and flavour: pumpkin spice. This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices turns every drink and pastry into an autumnal treat. Discover the world of pumpkin spice and find the best recipes, tips and tricks to sprinkle a hint of warmth and flavour into your autumn. Are you ready for the magic of this season?

What is pumpkin spice?

Pumpkin spice is a spice blend consisting of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and (sometimes) allspice. This mixture adds an autumnal aroma to various foods and drinks and is often used during the autumn and winter months, in particular.

Originally, pumpkin spice was associated with traditional autumn dishes in North America, especially pumpkin-based dishes such as pumpkin pie or pumpkin puree. In recent years, though, pumpkin spice has become a popular addition to all kinds of products, mainly drinks such as the infamous pumpkin spice latte, but also in baked goods, desserts, yoghurts, cereals and much more.

This spice blend offers a pleasant pairing of sweet and spicy flavours and is often associated with warm and cosy memories of the autumn season.

DIY pumpkin spice blend: make your own

This pumpkin spice blend is a doddle to make at home and can be used in lots of different recipes. You just have to mix different spices together. Easy, right? Try it for yourself!

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp ginger
• 2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 ½ tsp cloves
• 1 tsp allspice

Instructions:

1. Mix all the spices together well in a bowl
2. Pour the pumpkin spice blend into an airtight jar and store it in a cool, dry place

Pumpkin spice latte recipe

One of the most famous recipes using pumpkin spice is the pumpkin spice latte. Starbucks invented this ingenious blend of coffee and pumpkin – or something you might think of as a pumpkin – over 20 years ago. Here’s a delicious recipe you can easily recreate at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice (see below)
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
• 150–200 ml milk

Instructions:

1. Mix the espresso with the sugar, pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice.
2. Froth the milk, stir in the espresso mixture and top off with milk froth or cream. Sprinkle with a little pumpkin spice and enjoy.

More pumpkin spice latte recipes:

• Pumpkin spice latte with a fruity twist
• Vegan pumpkin spice latte
• Quick pumpkin spice latte

Tips and tricks

Let’s wrap up with a few useful tips and tricks on how to properly store your pumpkin spice and how to best prepare it: you’re sure to become a pumpkin spice expert.

1. Store in an airtight container: prevent air and moisture from getting into the pumpkin spice
2. Keep it somewhere dark: light can affect its quality and shelf life
3. Think about the quantity you’re making: smaller batches, which can be consumed within 6 to 12 months, are more useful
4. Use fresh spices: old or stale spices lose their aroma and taste
5. Use pure spices: make sure that the spices are pure and free from any additives or preservatives

Here’s to a delicious autumn!