Pumpkin Pie Latte, to go with your Pumpkin Muffins

Mmmmm, coffeeeeeee! I love coffee. It doesn't love me. Well, decaf loves me, but I get such a buzz from regular coffee that I can't drink it. Weird, right?

My current favorite decaf is from Trader Joe's. It's their Smooth and Really Mellow Blend Whole Bean Coffee. SO good, as far as decaf coffees go. And since I can only have decaf, my choices for good coffee are very limited, hehe.

A little while ago, I was looking up some stuff about brewing coffee, and came across this page from Alton Brown. Now, I love Alton Brown, and already do most of what he advises there, but 2 heaping tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water? Wha??? This did not compute. My mom, who made great coffee, always used one tablespoon.

But you know, it's Alton, so I figured I'd brew a small pot, to see if he was right.

And yep, you know it. He was. My coffee has gone from good to great! It's not stronger or bitter, it's full bodied. Yes, I finally know why people say "full bodied" when they talk about coffee.

It's a coffee revelation. For me, anyway. I guess I've been living under a rock. Or a bad pot of coffee, you decide.

Which brings me to Starbucks. Their coffee always tastes burnt to me. Always! And the prices? Holy coffee beans! With the way the economy has been sliding down it's slippery slope, saving some cash everyday would be good, right?

They have a new Pumpkin Spice Latte this season. I don't know how much it costs, but I'm guessing it's way more than it costs to make this one. This latte is from New England Coffee, who by the way, is a close second to Trader Joe's decaf. And it's incredibly easy! Make the latte part while your morning coffee is brewing, then mix the two, pop it in your travel mug, and you're ready to go! Or any time you want a warm, (very) slightly spicy latte. It's delicious, and I enjoyed mine with a nice warm, Pumpkin Morning Glory Muffin. Pumpkin overkill? No, it's very subtle in the latte. And though I drink my everyday coffee with half & half, but no sugar, I like my latte-ish coffee drinks sweetened. So I added sugar to taste in this.



Pumpkin Pie Latte
Adapted from New England Coffee

1 serving

1 tablespoon canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup milk
1/2 cup of your favorite coffee
-cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice for sprinkling over the top

In a saucepan, heat milk and pumpkin until steaming, or even easier--mix the milk and pumpkin in a 2 cup measuring cup and microwave for 2 1/2 minutes.
Stir in vanilla and cinnamon.
Pour the milk mixture in a blender, and blend 20 seconds until it's all foamy and pretty.
Pour into your favorite mug, then add coffee.
Add sugar to taste, if you like.
A sprinkle of nutmeg, cinnamon, or pumpkin pie spice over the top, and drink up!