Coffee Crawl: Searching for the Best Pumpkin Latte in Tacoma
/
It’s fall y’all, and you know what that means: Pumpkin everything time! This makes me so incredibly happy. I am a pumpkin fanatic. I get a bit crazy in the fall for all the foods and flavors. And this is silly, but I almost get anxious because I love it all so much and there is so much I want to eat and drink that I feel I have to keep baking and eating or else I won’t get to have it all. Serious problems.
Of all the fall flavors, though, pumpkin is my favorite. Wow, that’s a bold statement. I’m not sure I’m ready to make such a statement. I mean there is also apple. Apple is definitely a favorite. Oh, gosh. Well, for now, let’s say pumpkin because I’m about to talk to you all about pumpkin in our coffee. That’s right, the drink made famous by Starbucks, the pumpkin spice latte. Everyone is doing it now. It’s pumpkin and spice and it’s everything nice. Let’s drink it!
I took it upon myself to go around and try as many pumpkin spice lattes as I could. I’m looking for places that make their mix and not just using Torani syrup (not that there is anything wrong with that, but…). I’m looking for:
Flavor: What’s the pumpkin versus spice ratio? Is there a lot of pumpkin taste or more spice?
Texture: Sometimes with pumpkin it can feel heavy or grainy with too much actual pumpkin. Or many all those spices are grainy?
Toppings: Is there whipped cream or spices & sprinkled on top?
Sweetness Level: Is it sweet, or not sweet enough?
Coffee Presence: Is the coffee still there?
Mind you, I do tend to like things on the slightly sweet side when it comes to coffee. Not majority sweet like a white mocha, but a smooth subtle sweetness. Also, I must tell you if there are any good noshes to go with the latte. That is always a plus!
Let’s take a coffee tour together!
Tacoma Pumpkin Spice Latte Tour
Starbucks
Ahh yes, the mother of all pumpkin spice lattes. They’ve changed the recipes over the years and I think for the better. They use more real, whole ingredients now than they did previously. [Fun fact: I worked at Starbucks for a few years. It was a good life experience. I actually enjoyed making the lattes and wish we had a super awesome espresso machine at home. I worked in downtown Seattle and the holidays were uber crazy but so much fun. It’s changed since I worked there, but I can sure order like a pro.]
So, my trick with the PSL is I prefer one pump less syrup than the recipe. This gives it the perfect level of sweetness. I skip the whip, because I just prefer it without…but if you’re feeling decadent, then go for it. it’s lovely with the whip and spice sprinkle on top. For the coffee, you should order a double shot if you get a tall. Otherwise, I feel there is a lack of coffee taste. You might consider a triple shot with a grande.* Honestly, this is a great pumpkin latte and even though I poo-poo Starbucks sometimes, it’s consistent and quite delicious. Oh, and there marketing for fall totally gets me. Well done, Starbucks.
*My official order: Double tall, 2% milk, 2-pump pumpkin, no whip PSL latte
Verdict: Thumbs Up!
Anthem Coffee
Our local chain of Anthem’s has a bomb-diggity pumpkin latte. They have a pumpkin latte and a pumpkin spice latte and both were spot on. The pumpkin spice latte uses both the pumpkin sauce and their chai syrup whereas the pumpkin latte is just the pumpkin sauce. The use Dillanos Coffee Roasters for there coffee and it’s also where they get their pumpkin sauce (it’s based out of Sumner).
Josh got the pumpkin spice and it was wonderful. I got the pumpkin latte. These were some of my favorites from my pumpkin latte tour. The flavors are well-balanced and not over-powering. There isn’t any grainy feel to the coffee and it has a good subtle sweetness. It’s perfect for a brisk fall morning or afternoon.
Anthem recently partnered with The Vintage Baker for some awesome baked goods. The pumpkin muffin wasn’t in stores yet (they said it would start the next day - ahh, I was too early!), but the Instagram photos looks delectable. Plus, I’ve had some of the baked goods and they have proven worth the eating, so I bet it’s good.
Verdict: Thumbs Up!
Top Pot Doughnuts
Coffee and donuts, donuts and coffee. The best match! When we went they had a special apple cider donut, but now I think it’s switched to pumpkin. So you could do double double pumpkin trouble with a pumpkin donut and a pumpkin latte. I’m not going to lie, I love that thought. Top Pot doesn’t stand out to me as the best coffee spot in town, but I’m always nicely surprised at their pumpkin latte. I think it’s their best latte. It’s not too rich, and has a nice pumpkin to spice balance. It’s perfect for dunking your donut!
Verdict: Thumbs Up!
Metronome Coffee
I sort of messed this one up…twice. The first time we went they had not released their fall menu, yet. What?! It was like the mid/end of September. Starbucks had been serving their PSL since August (I think that actually might be true). But the barista did a secret menu pumpkin latte for me using some “pumpkin spice” spices. I think it was actually pumpkin spice (you know, the spice mixture) mixed with espresso and then steamed milk. I had him add a touch of vanilla for sweetness. It was actually quite good.
We returned once the fall menu was released and their seasonal offering was actually white pumpkin latte. I’m not huge on white mochas since they are so sweet, so I asked for the drink as just pumpkin. But it was a flop. It wasn’t great at all, so do try to do that, ok? Just get the drink as they offer it. I’m sure it’s good. Maybe ask for less of the white mocha sauce or something, but doesn’t go without it. Don’t be like me.
As a side note, Josh got the Maple Brown Butter latte and it tasted exactly like that. If those flavors are your jam, then try it! The golden fig sounded interesting to me, too (see the seasonal drink menu in the photos).
Oh, and I have to mention the homemade pop tart. Nom nom nom, so good. Totally delicious.
Verdict: Thumbs Down (But needs another chance)
Metropolitan Market
I remember liking the Metropolitan Market pumpkin spice latte much more last year. This year I was like, “this is meh.” It was way too much on the spice side and the drink felt heavy. It was grainy as well from all those spices and pumpkin in there. I could see it being better if you ask for half the pumpkin syrup so it’s less cloying sweet. I hate to not like something from the Metropolitan Market because I love that place so much. And if you handed me their pumpkin spice latte for free, I’d drink it. Hmm, I think I might try again but with some modifications.
Of course, so many food options here. And I spied some creamy and delicious looking fall gelato flavors.
Verdict: Thumbs Down!
Corina Bakery
I recall really enjoying the pumpkin latte here last year, but this year I was disappointed. I was chatting with the barista and learned they use a purchased syrup. She mentioned it was something with a D…DaVinci or Dillanos? (Side Note: If the latter, than I’m not sure how Anthem’s turned out better. The barista making it perhaps?) And maybe I didn’t know last year that they use a pre-made syrup, and by some power of the mind knowing it was a syrup this year, I decided I wouldn’t like it. Or perhaps it was a different syrup they used last year. What the case may be, I wasn’t a huge fan of there pumpkin spice latte. It felt very syrupy and not like real pumpkin. But don’t miss out on the pastries for this, just order your regular latte order. The pumpkin scone is so yummy!
Verdict: Thumbs Down!
Craft 19 (Sumner)
Craft 19 is a favorite cafe of ours out in Sumner. We enjoy a coffee and crepe in the afternoon and walking around the cute little town. We don’t go in many of the stores with the kids, but it is still a pleasant visit. I saw they had a pumpkin spice latte seasonal drink, so we had to drive out for a little taste. It was spot on! It was totally worth the drive. We enjoyed our coffee with a french toast crepe, and I was just in heaven. I think they’ve since come out with their seasonal crepe menu - I hope there is pumpkin crepes because that would be pumpkin heaven.
Verdict: Thumbs Up!
The Davenport (Gig Harbor)
Another little adventure from Tacoma, but again worth it. I enjoy this little cafe. I discovered it from a blogger I love, Jones Design Company. You’ll see little touches from Jones Design Company in the store - she helped with some of the design! I give the pumpkin spice latte two thumbs up. It’s got the nice balance you’re looking for between coffee, pumpkin, and spice. Their goodies are enjoyable as well. The pastries are from Essential Bakery in Seattle, but they make the little breakfast items. I love to order their avocado toast. If you find yourself in Gig Harbor, and wanting a latte, check them out!
Verdict: Thumbs Up!
A Few Others…
…that aren’t offering a pumpkin seasonal drink, but still have great coffee:
Lander - This place is new and awesome. Totally kid friendly (it was hard to get my son to leave!).
At Home
Of course, you could always make your own at home! I used this recipe recently using my Nespresso for the coffee part. But I was considering making pumpkin butter (or buying it from Trader Joes) and using this recipe, or this recipe (or, knowing me a combination of the two recipes).