Maine Root Pumpkin Pie Soda

One of the biggest benefits to college life is being spoiled every time your parents see you. The parental surprise this week was Maine Root Pumpkin Pie Soda she found at Wegman’s … my mommy definitely loves me.

I have to admit it took me half the bottle to develop an opinion, mostly because I had no idea what to expect. Would it literally taste like liquid pumpkin pie? Or does it taste like those Harry Potter World pumpkin drinks? It’s beer-resembling exterior definitely started a lot of conversation with my classmates.

It’s a very sweet soda, the kind of sweet a cream soda is. Nutmeg is its most prevalent flavor, and it smells like a pie. I think I would have named it pumpkin pie spice soda just because I tasted no pumpkin. Nonetheless, once I analyzed the soda, I found myself very much enjoying it and sad it only comes in packs of four. I definitely am buying more.

Maine Root Pumpkin Pie Soda: 3.5/5

Panera Bread Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Muffie

Panera Bread is one of my favorite places to eat ever … my mom says because I have expensive tastes in sandwiches. But I just have a big thing for comfort foods, so soups, paninis, and baked goods are right up my ally. In late September, my mother came to visit me (yay groceries), and, as per usual, took me out to Panera Bread for lunch/dinner. You can imagine my excitement when I saw pumpkin already invading the cafe.

The pumpkin spice latte was an unfortunate experience. I do like the Panera lattes, especially the caramel, but this was extremely bitter. I also had a difficult time finding the pumpkin flavor in the drink. Cinnamon was the only ingredient that hinted towards it being a pumpkin spice latte. I love Panera, but this needs serious improvement.

Pumpkin Spice Latte: 1/5

I have seen the calories on the Panera muffins and have not touched one since, so I always get muffies instead and split them with my mom because they are a decent size and a more acceptable amount of calories. The pumpkin muffie just looked extremely promising with its familiar orange coloring and dusting of powdered sugar. I took a bite and it was easily one of the best pumpkin bread-y products I have had.  It was moist, and the pumpkin and pumpkin spice all shine through clearly but with pumpkin being the stronger flavor, as it should be. Other than it being 300 calories for one, this could not have been any better.

Pumpkin Muffie: 5/5