With the arrival of autumn, many food establishments have transitioned to seasonal menus, letting fall fanatics indulge in their favorite seasonal treats. From pumpkin spice lattes to the classic apple pie, here’s what Seton Hall students had to say about their fall food and drink picks.
Salted Caramel Mocha – Starbucks
Lorra de Guzman, a sophomore nursing major, said her go-to drink for the season is the Salted Caramel Mocha from Starbucks.
“As a Starbucks barista, I love trying out the new fall menu,” de Guzman said. “It makes me excited for the season.”
The salted caramel mocha drink is a mixture of milk, toffee nut, sea salt topping, caramel drizzle and whipped cream.
“Making the drink and also drinking it just puts me in a fall-like mood,” de Guzman said.
Although the fall menu was first introduced in August, de Guzman said that the recent change in weather better fits the “vibe of warm drinks and richer flavors.”
Black Americanos – The Order
After finishing up a recent café crawl, Chloe Perez, a freshman psychology major, said she has found many enjoyable food and drink items close to campus. However, Perez identified one particular drink to be the best of the food tour.
Located along South Orange Avenue, The Order is a short walk from campus and offers one of Perez’s favorite coffees.
“[My friend and I] both got black Americanos,” she said. “And it was by far the best coffee of the day.”
While Americanos can be enjoyed year-round, Perez said she thinks warm drinks, in general, are appealing during this time of year because of the chillier weather.
“It’s nice to just vibe with a hot drink,” Perez said. “It really puts me in the fall spirit.”
Apple and Pecan Pie
Rupali Reddy, a sophomore undecided business major, said he identifies fall food with good memories and looks forward to the season for its pie selection.
“My favorite pie is apple,” Reddy said. “I like to eat it warmed up with vanilla ice cream. It’s the perfect meal for fall, and it’s also a classic that everybody likes.”
Reddy added that it is a family tradition to celebrate Thanksgiving with both a pecan and apple pie.
“For me, this food reminds me of fall, and more importantly, it reminds me of family memories during the holidays,” Reddy said.
Spiced Drinks: Pumpkin Spice, Chai Tea and Ginger Tea
“Of course, when it comes to drinks, autumn and pumpkin spice lattes are almost synonymous,” Brigid Benko, a sophomore social work major, said. “I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin-flavored anything, but autumn is the season where I like to add some spice in my treats when the weather’s lacking heat.”
Other than the pumpkin spiced latte, Benko said she suggests trying spiced teas to warm up in the colder months.
“Chai teas and ginger teas are phenomenal with honey or raw sugar,” she said.
As a Starbucks barista, Benko also shared tips for spiced drinks, such as adding cinnamon dolce topping, pumpkin spice syrup or pumpkin spice topping for a seasonal spin. Another recommendation from Benko is a hot chai tea with cinnamon or pumpkin spice steamed into the milk.
Medium Roast
For those who wish to save money or prefer to enjoy fresh coffee at home, Benko also shared her favorite home-brewed drink.
“My favorite coffee blend is currently Casi Cielo, Starbucks’s current limited-edition medium roast,” Benko said. “It’s not too bitter or sour and always makes a great cup of coffee. It’s the only blend I will drink without creamer and sugar.”
Catherine San can be reached at catherine.san@student.shu.edu.
