It’s that time of year again. When coffee shops, grocery stores and restaurants are suddenly taken over by pumpkin spice.
Suddenly, everything seems to be pumpkin-spiced: coffees, cakes, cookies, candles, and … cat litter? While many embrace the fall flavor with open arms, others find themselves in pumpkin-scented prison until mid-November.
So, what about those who prefer another seasonal flavor and scent? Those who have to trudge their way through pumpkin spice to see the light at the end of the tunnel: we’re talking about peppermint mocha.
Love for the holiday season flavor might not be as loud as those celebrating the return of pumpkin spice, but its followers (including the author of this) are passionate. The first sip of a minty, chocolately peppermint mocha sends shockwaves through our bodies, ushering in the holiday season.
But which team are you? Are you a pumpkin spice defender or a peppermint mocha truther? Which flavor do you wait months to enjoy?
Discover the exact nature of these popular flavors and vote for your favorite below.
What is Pumpkin Spice?
Pumpkin spice is typically a mix of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, but sometimes allspice gets thrown into the blend, too, according to All Recipes.
According to USA TODAY, the drink was created in 2003 by Starbucks in its “Liquid Lab.”
“During research and development of PSL, the team sampled a forkful of pumpkin pie, followed by a sip of hot espresso to identify the flavors from the pie that best complemented the coffee,” a post on its website states.
What is Peppermint Mocha?
A typical peppermint mocha drink includes espresso (or strong coffee), steamed milk, chocolate sauce (or cocoa powder), and peppermint syrup (or peppermint extract).
While the exact origins of the drink are unknown, Starbucks introduced the seasonal beverage to its customers during the 2002 holiday season, and quickly became the most popular holiday beverage in Starbucks’ history.
Which is better? Vote below!
Why are these flavors so popular during the holiday season?
There’s actually some science behind why we are so obsessed with these flavors every year.
According to Johns Hopkins’ Arts and Science Magazine, the key to why people love these flavors is the smell of them. The scents are heavily associated with the holiday season and likely evoke some comforting memories.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: What’s better, pumpkin spice or peppermint mocha? Vote in our poll
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
