Fall, Autumn, Spooky Season, Sweater Weather, Harvest, Pumpkin Spice Latte Season—whatever you want to call it—’tis the damn season, people! And guess what? We are here to throw down in defense of the most controversial drink of the season: Pumpkin. Spice.
Now, let's address the elephant in the room—or should I say the elephant-sized line of people waiting outside the café the second it drops below 70 degrees? Yes, I’m talking about the throngs of people—mostly in cozy sweaters, sure—rushing in to get their first hit of that sweet, sweet pumpkin-flavored nectar. And while some of you are rolling your eyes so hard you’re risking a retinal injury, let’s be real for a second: Pumpkin spice is delicious. Period.
But we get it, there are haters. Pumpkin spice divides people like few things can. Some claim it’s “basic” or “trendy.” But here’s a little history lesson for you spice-deniers out there: before you stereotype pumpkin spice lovers as only cardigan-wearing influencers, let’s not forget that the OG fanboys of spice were men. Like, seriously, they plundered entire continents to haul nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove back to their European kingdoms. So next time someone complains about the commercialization of a humble autumn drink, remind them of the actual spice wars. People went to battle over this stuff.
And while we’re at it, let’s stop pretending this is about some “pure” coffee standard. You can knock the pumpkin spice all you want, but the nutty, earthy flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg actually complement coffee. That balance of sweet and spice? Yeah, it enhances your basic cup of Joe. I’m not saying it’s gonna turn you into a cinnamon-loving, sweater-wearing convert overnight, but let’s stop acting like you’ve got the moral high ground because your coffee didn’t take a detour through the spice rack.
Look, in a world that’s basically a never-ending stress-fest, why are we out here making people feel bad for liking something? Life is short, and honestly, sometimes all we need is a cup of happiness—whether that’s a black coffee so strong it could wake the dead or a pumpkin spice latte that smells like autumn and feels like a warm hug. So let people have their fun! Let them enjoy their pumpkin spice, their cinnamon swirls, and their cozy sweater moments.
Our Favorite way to Pumpkin Spice- The Pour Over
What You'll Need:
- Devil’s Bay Pumpkin Spice Coffee (medium-coarse grind)
- Pour-over dripper (like a V60 or Chemex)
- Coffee filter
- Hot water (just off the boil, around 200°F)
- A kettle
- A mug or carafe to catch the coffee
Step-by-Step Instructions:
-
Heat Water
Boil water and let it cool slightly (you want it around 200°F, which is just below boiling). You'll need about 16 oz for a 12 oz cup of coffee. -
Prep Your Filter
Place the filter in your dripper. Rinse the filter with hot water to get rid of any papery taste and warm up the dripper. Dump the rinse water from the mug or carafe afterward. -
Measure Coffee
Use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 oz of water. Adjust the amount depending on how strong you like your coffee. Pour your freshly ground coffee into the filter and give it a little shake to even out the grounds. -
The Bloom
Slowly pour a little bit of hot water over the grounds (just enough to wet them evenly). This will allow the coffee to "bloom" (release gases). Let it sit for about 30 seconds. -
Pour in Circles
Now, slowly pour the rest of the hot water in small circles over the grounds. Start from the center and spiral out, making sure to cover all the grounds evenly. Don’t pour too fast—you want the water to flow through the coffee steadily, not rush through it. -
Let it Drip
Once you’ve poured all the water, let the coffee drip through the filter into your mug or carafe. This should take about 2-3 minutes total. -
Enjoy!
Remove the dripper, toss the used filter, and give your coffee a quick swirl. Enjoy your freshly brewed pour-over coffee!