This or That?: Hot chocolate or pumpkin spice

Georgia hasn’t quite gotten to the point where the weather screams fall, but the fact that pumpkin spice is everywhere means that fall is finally upon us.
For a minute there, the weather dipped down to about mid-60s, so the question of whether to choose hot chocolate or pumpkin spice is a rather legitimate one. With forecasts of upper-80s, low 90s, we need to figure out a way to cool ourselves down some how. Fortunately for us, there are such things as frozen hot chocolate and pumpkin spice frappuccinos.
I do love to indulge in a cup of hot chocolate on a cool autumn evening, but pumpkin spice has recently entered my radar.
I’m not sure if I was just oblivious for the past few years, but I didn’t understand what the big deal about pumpkin spice was. I mentioned in a previous issue that I love Starbucks and I have been going there rather frequently since the semester started.
Of course, Starbucks seems to be the biggest advertiser of pumpkin spice. Once pumpkin spice comes around, fall is officially here.
My usual drink at Starbucks is a Mocha, in both hot and frappuccino variety.
However, my tastebuds were singing a different tune when I discovered that pumpkin spice lattes could be turned into frappuccinos.
For about a week or two, pumpkin spice was the only thing I ordered.
After discovering pumpkin spice lattes, my housemate brought home pumpkin spice kisses and used them to make pumpkin spice cookies.
Everywhere I turn, pumpkin spice this, pumpkin spice that. I’m not so sure I’m head over heels for this seasonal development.
Hot chocolate is a tried and true favorite. Once I got over my obsession with pumpkin spice, albeit brief, I returned to my usual mocha at Starbucks.
I have a box of swiss miss hot chocolate packets waiting for me in my room.
Hot chocolate is a classic. Pumpkin spice is a fad. Don’t get me wrong, pumpkin spice is delicious. Sometimes, though, a classic like hot chocolate is just what we need when the weather gets a bit colder than we’re used to, and we need that sense of comfort that we used to get when we were children.
In a season when we become split down the middle between, pumpkin spice drinkers and non-pumpkin spice drinkers, I stand on the side of the non-pumpkin spice drinkers.
I will occasionally indulge in a pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin spice frappuccino, but if I had to choose, hot chocolate is where it’s at!

Comments on this opinion can be sent to cecilia.villagomez@live.mercer.edu