Move Over Pumpkin Spice, This Is the 2024 Flavor of Fall
You’ve tried salted caramel, but how about salted maple? For years, right around back to school time—and sometimes, even earlier—supermarkets, coffee shops, and some seriously unexpected places start deluging Americans with all things pumpkin spice. Ever since Starbucks debuted its pumpkin spice latte in 2003, countless copycats and pumpkin spice products have made this trend as much of a mascot of fall as leaf piles, football, and apple orchards. In addition to lattes, dog treats, deodorant, candles, Peeps, Pop Tarts, and Pringles have gotten the pumpkin spice treatment; hoping to capitalize on the trend’s popularity. We were here for the lattes and still stand by the deliciousness of our pumpkin spice whipped coffee, cake, and White Russian cocktails, but honestly, we’re getting a little bored. And Team BHG isn’t alone in that sentiment: “Pumpkin spice doesn’t feel original anymore,” says Tania Cienfuegos Harris, pastry chef at Hotel Hartness and Patterson Kitchen + Bar in Greenville, South Carolina. “You want to feel excitement about what you’re eating and drinking. Now that you can find pumpkin spice in everything—even things that are not food-related—that just makes it super common for people. It's not as special as it once was.” Ahead, we’ll give pumpkin spice a well-deserved tribute with a retrospective of the trend. Then our panel of food pros helped us pinpoint what might just be the new flavor of fall. PSL, prepare to pass on your crown. What Is Pumpkin Spice, Exactly? Contrary to its name, pumpkin spice contains 0% pumpkin. “It’s all about recreating the spiced flavor profile associated with pumpkin-based desserts, including pumpkin pie,” explains Victor Santiago, pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, California. Pumpkin spice typically includes a blend of the following: Cinnamon, for warmth and sweetness Cloves, which offer a deep, aromatic spiciness Ginger, for a zesty quality Nutmeg, the nutty, spicy teammate Optional: Allspice, for an earthy and fruity note If you ask Santiago, beyond those flavors, pumpkin spice evokes warmth, fall, nostalgia, and indulgence. As for Alyssa Gangeri, pastry chef and managing partner at The Butter Milk Ranch in Nashville, Tennessee, pumpkin spice “reminds me of family gatherings, cozying up as the weather cools, and preparing for the holiday season. There’s also a psychological connection with indulgence and self-care as people enjoy this seasonal treat.” Tracking the Pumpkin Spice Trend Pumpkin spice has been the flavor of fall for decades, but back in 2022, we looked into our crystal balls and predicted that many signs were pointing to the beginning of the end of the pumpkin spice boom. Then when we spoke with 10 pastry chefs to select 2024’s fall baking trends, we once again heard whispers that more and more folks are parting with their pumpkin spice obsession. “I honestly feel it was all about marketing, and relating pumpkin spice to fall. In my opinion, pumpkin spice will always overpower anything you add it to,” Harris says. In Nashville and Indianapolis, Gangeri and Boudarine confirm that the trend is still prominent in cosmetics, fashion, and “especially in bakeries and coffee shops,” Gangeri tells BHG. “However, I’ve started to see some pumpkin spice fatigue, especially among more adventurous food lovers who are looking for something new and different.” Santiago believes that pumpkin spice will continue to be a beloved seasonal flavor for many, however, due to trend saturation, a shift in more diverse preferences, and overall cultural trends, “the sentiment seems to be shifting towards a more varied and innovative approach to seasonal flavors,” he says. Salted Maple Is the 2024 Flavor of Fall When we asked our experts what fall flavors they think are growing in popularity, we received several worthy nominations. Brown butter, apple butter, butterscotch, chai, cardamom, and salted caramel all received nods by the pastry chefs, and were all strong contenders. In fact, salted caramel is a cousin of our winner. However, as soon as Santiago said “maple,” our brains jumped back to lead us through a mental montage of what we’re forecasting is the new flavor of fall: Salted Maple. In January, Cheerios launched Maple Cinnamon Hearty Nut Cheerios, which have “salt” fairly high up on the ingredient list. Then the compound butter company Churn joined the chat with their Maple Cinnamon Butter, which is made simply with butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and sea salt. The deal was sealed when Trader Joe’s brought back its Salted Maple Ice Cream that fans on Reddit say has “the perfect balance of sweet, salty, maple goodness,” noting that it’s “heavenly” over apple desserts. As pumpkin spice proves, the flavor of fall must play nicely with all of the season’s best—pumpkins, apples, pears, figs—and salted maple does just that. “Maple offers a rich, warm sweetness with a distinctive flavor that evokes the cozy, comforting essence of fall. It pairs beautifully with many fall ingredients and dishes, from baked goods to savory items,” Santiago says. “Maple is often associated with autumn activities like maple syrup harvesting and has a natural connection to the fall season. Its rich, caramel-like taste can add depth and warmth.” A sprinkle of salt is a thoroughly-modern touch that brings this trend into 2024—and balances out the sweetness in the syrup. In addition to the aforementioned cereal, compound butter, and ice cream, we’ve also seen salted maple making its way into recipes for puddings, pies, granola, whipped cream, lattes, and scones. And of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that a pure way to celebrate this new flavor of fall is atop pancakes or waffles; just add a drizzle of maple syrup and a pinch of flaky sea salt and your day is off to a strong start. Before we dive into a short stack of salted maple pancakes ourselves, we couldn’t resist asking Santiago to share a few more ways to add salted maple to the menu: Maple-glazed donuts or muffins. “The rich, caramelized flavor of maple syrup can create a deliciously sweet and sophisticated glaze that adds a touch of elegance to classic baked goods,” Santiago says. Top with a sprinkle of sea salt for crunch and balance. Maple lattes. Instead of sugar, add a splash of maple syrup to your next coffee drink. “It offers a natural sweetness and a depth of flavor that pairs well with the richness of the drink,” Santiago adds. Get this: A pinch of salt has been shown to tame the bitterness in coffee, so stir both in to try the trend and sip a super-smooth cup. Maple savory-style. Santiago is sweet on maple-glazed roasted vegetables (season with a pinch of salt) and maple-bacon Brussels sprouts. “Maple syrup’s sweetness complements savory dishes beautifully, and adds a caramelized coating,” he explains. After peeking through our recipe archives, it turns out that we’ve been sprinkling hints about salted maple’s rise in popularity for years. In case you’re craving even more salted maple inspiration, all of these recipes include the combo: Maple Bourbon Apple Pie Cranberry-Ricotta Pancakes with Salted Maple Butter Brioche Bread Pudding Muffins with Maple Caramel Maple-Cinnamon Pumpkin Pie Canned Apple Pie Filling with Maple and Cinnamon Maple-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potatoes The article Move Over Pumpkin Spice, This is the 2024 Flavor of Fall originally appeared on BHG.com by Karla Walsh.
Spring Awakening: 5 Bedding Trends We Love for the Warmer Days Ahead
One oft-forgtten room that can always benefit from a seasonal refresh is the bedroom. And more specifically, bedding is a small upgrade that can make a big difference. With the weather warming, we say it’s time to shed those heavy winter quilts and swap them for something lighter. So we’ve scouted out five fresh spring looks from Instagram that incorporate natural motifs, playful details, and inviting textures. These will make your bedroom the perfect cozy haven for all those rainy spring weekends and maybe even help you catch a few extra winks. Here are our top picks for trending, spring-themed bedding this season. 1. Cotton, block-print quilt If you’re ready to store your winter quilt, swap it out for something a little lighter (both in weight and color scheme)—like this cotton, block-print quilt from @sourced_by_holly. “Block-print quilts breathe fresh life into bedding with their vibrant patterns and lightweight feel,” says designer Houna Bech. “These quilts usher in springtime. The repeating, nature-inspired shapes and motifs create visual interest, while the cotton fabric keeps you cool as temperatures rise.” 2. Pastel linen sheets Nothing says spring quite like pastels, and these crisp linen sheets from @indigo_casa are the perfect place to land on Saturday mornings with coffee and a good book. “Soft pastel hues give bedrooms an ethereal feel, perfect for spring,” says Bech. “Subtle shades of pink, blue, and green evoke blossoms and fair weather. The understated palette also provides a blank canvas to layer in bolder accent colors and patterns.” 3. Kilim bolster pillow Speaking of layering in those bolder patterns, we’re loving the way this kilim bolster pillow from @aandpdesign creates the ultimate neutral-forward, cozy bedroom look. “Bold kilim pillows are an easy way to add a pop of color and global inspiration,” says designer Chenise Hinds, of Momooze. “The vibrant, geometric patterns look fantastic against a neutral background. Kilim designs just have such a chic, well-traveled appeal. I think they blend beautifully with styles from modern to traditional.” 4. Cinched-velvet throw pillows Another bold accent pillow we love for bedrooms in this shoulder-season weather? These adorable, cinched-velvet pillows from @janskacelikart. “For a firm touch of glamour, luxe velvet accent pillows can’t be beat,” says Hinds. “The rich texture paired with light, surrounding linens creates the ultimate cozy elegance. I’d choose jewel-toned velvets, like emerald or sapphire, to really amp up the moodiness for spring showers.” 5. Ruffle pillowcases Ruffles aren’t just for granny decor. They’re also an adorable way to introduce a playful aesthetic to your bedroom this season. Don’t believe us? Check out this perfectly ruffled, spring bedroom from @sarahvanrenen. “And let’s not forget fun, flirty ruffle trims!” advises Hinds. “A fluttering, ruffled edge lends a playful, feminine charm, whether in white lace or blushing pink. Ruffles feel whimsical yet polished at the same time. It’s such a lovely, lighthearted look for spring.” The article Spring Awakening: 5 Bedding Trends We Love for the Warmer Days Ahead originally appeared on Realtor.com by Larissa Runkle.
