Fall has officially begun. With this change of seasons comes the change of popular flavors. We trade pineapple and watermelon for pumpkin and apple. Fall flavors are my favorite. Tasting my first pumpkin donut of the season is how I mark the start of autumn.
One of my favorite fall memories is when it was my family’s first year in Central New York. In case you didn’t know, Central New York is nothing like New York City. It is characterized by the name “middle of nowhere.” Trees go on for miles and miles with many giant hills and even the Adirondack Mountains. Because of the surplus of trees, fall was gorgeous. Red and orange spread as far as the eye could see. My parents and I wanted to ride our car around to be fully immersed in the fall leaves. About an hour into our leisurely drive, we found a farm stand. Inside were the best apple cider donuts and apple fritters that have ever graced my mouth. They were so warm and delicious. We washed it all down with apple cider that felt like it was made from out-of-this-world delicious apples.
When it comes to Thanksgiving time, pies hold the flavors that I often think about for months after I eat them. I remember one year I teared up when I took a bite of my mom’s homemade apple pie. The flaky crust mixed with the notes of cinnamon and nutmeg with the apples is a taste that makes my heart happy.
But what other tasty fall treats and flavors does the student body love? What ones especially scream fall to them? I decided to find others who love fall flavors as much as I do to talk about their favorite fall treats.
Lydia Boateng-Sarpong (senior, speech pathology) says, “I love apple cider anything! It’s my fave fave fave hot drink. I love it because I like apple juice, and it's basically that except warm and with cinnamon. I always associated it with a warm, comforting feeling.” Apple cider, cold and warm, is one of the best creations that the fall season has given us. The culmination of the delicious sweet apples mixed with it being a convenient drink for any occasion during the fall makes it superior.
Joseph McKinley (junior, finance) said, “I love pumpkin spice. That flavor signals to me that it is time to start fall and bring back the fall energy.” Pumpkin spice is a treasured fall flavor. I have seen people cry tears of joy when they find out when Starbucks releases their seasonal pumpkin spice latte. Even if you and caffeine disagree (caffeine and I are mortal enemies), you should try the Pumpkin Spice Creme Frappucino from Starbucks. You won’t regret that pumpkin spice hitting your taste buds.
Savannah Tyler (junior, speech pathology) said, “My favorite fall treat is my mom’s homemade pumpkin bread. It reminds me of the annual fall festivals that I have attended since kindergarten. I remember running around with friends, playing games, eating way too many sweets, and once I got older, helping my class with fundraisers.” Certain fall treats bring us back to simpler times. Childhood fall flavors still get me tearing up when I taste them now. For example, when I bite into a caramel apple, I am transported back to when my mom would stuff a large caramel apple into my lunchbox, and I would eat it while having lunch on the playground. Fall flavors will always transcend time and space.
As we go to pumpkin patches and corn mazes, may we always remember that no fall outing is complete without a tasty fall treat. Indulge yourself with pumpkin and apples while they are available to you. Michigan is the perfect place to get homemade pumpkin and apple treats. You better go before the equally delicious peppermint drinks and treats hit the shelves for winter!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.