The month of October has finally arrived and along with it all pumpkin spice flavored foods. Pumpkin spice is probably the most common fall flavor. Food brands have been introducing more and more pumpkin spice products, but not all of these foods seem to live up to the hype. The Rooster staff and adviser decided to try these foods by conducting a pumpkin spice taste test.

Biggest Surprise- Life Pumpkin Spice Cereal

“It’s Life time. I really taste the pumpkin. It’s the best pumpkin-flavored thing, but pumpkin isn’t even one of the ingredients.” -pumpkin enthusiast Rily Bellias

“I don’t know what wizardry they used, but it worked.” -Amber Bryant

Biggest Disappointment- Nutri Grain Pumpkin Spice bars

“These taste really good, but I’m not getting the pumpkin spice flavor. It tastes just like a regular Nutri Grain bar.” -Taylor Ann Hartley

“I think it tastes too sweet.” -Amber Bryant

Least Pumpkin Flavor- Pumpkin Spice Sweet Potato Chips

“They are interesting and different but, in the end just taste like sweet potato chips.” -Rily Bellias

“That’s not good. There’s too much cinnamon and not enough pumpkin.” -Zoe Evans

Most Pumpkin in Ingredients- Pumpkin Spice Yogurt Pretzels

“I like these, but again, I don’t taste much pumpkin.” -Rily Bellias

“This tastes like the smell of my mom’s candle.” -Taylor Ann

“It’s very sweet, but not binge-worthy.” -Amber Bryant

*Note: First two ingredients: pumpkin spice yogurt coating, pumpkin spice flavor.

Sweetest- Ghirardelli Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Squares

“I have high expectations for this. I can taste more pumpkin and it’s really sweet.” -Taylor Ann

“You can definitely taste more pumpkin in this.” -Rily Bellias

Least Pumpkin Spice- Pumpkin Spice Frosted Mini Wheats

“What is this? It tastes like something else, but I don’t know what it is. Oh! It tastes like those Moravian ginger cookies.” -Amber Bryant

“Not the best, but they are very pretty.” -Taylor Ann

Totally Pumpkin- Pumpkin Roll

“It almost resembles pumpkin itself- perfect in every way, shape, and form. Now this is what I like to eat. The sweet buttercream filling with the contrast of the delectable pumpkin satisfies my taste buds so much. It’s like a party on my tongue! I love pumpkin so much.” -Rily Bellias

Most Fun- Duncan Hines Pumpkin Spice Bars

“Pumpkin, authentic, delicious. I really like the presentation, they are aesthetically pleasing.” -Molly Mullane

“They were fun to make.” -Alicia Townsend

Most Addictive-Marshmallows

“It’s so weird. It tastes like pumpkin spice, but it also just tastes like a marshmallow. I’m intrigued and can’t stop eating them.” -Taylor Ann

“They were like fluffy clouds and tasted so good.” -Alex Lee

Not all of the pumpkin spice flavored foods seemed to live up to expectations. However, most of them did have at least some trace of pumpkin flavor. Infusing a normal food with pumpkin spice can be a difficult task. If you enjoy pumpkin spice flavored items, be sure to check the ingredients before you purchase them to make sure you are actually getting pumpkin. Overall, it was a fun taste test and definitely opened our eyes to the wide world of pumpkin spice.