The moment you see Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Chai Lattes decking the shelves of Dunkin, Starbucks, and local coffee shops, you know that fall is around the corner. When Starbucks launched the fall menu on August 2023, they saw a 25.1% jump in in-store visits – one of the most successful fall menu launches in recent years.
Starbucks launched a brand-new drink alongside their usual offerings this year – the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte. An innovative cross-over of the two classic fall flavors, the drink tops the usual iced chai latte off with a creamy and sweet pumpkin-infused milk foam and a dash of pumpkin spice.
While the creamy, aromatic drink has become an internet sensation, many people have found that the drink tastes very similar to a pumpkin spice latte. And there’s a very valid reason why - Hint: It’s the spices!
In this blog, we’ll dive into how Pumpkin Spice Latte and Chai Latte compare – in terms of spices and taste.
It’s In the Spices
Pumpkin Spice and Masala Chai (spiced tea from India, the base of iced chai latte) both get their flavors from a combination of warming spices. In fact, they use almost the exact same set of spices, to the point that a 2013 article stated that a “‘Pumpkin spice' is mostly just a chai latte.”
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the spices in Masala Chai and Pumpkin Spice:
|
Spice |
Masala Chai |
Pumpkin Spice |
|
Cinnamon |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Ginger |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Nutmeg |
Yes |
Yes |
|
All Spice |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Cloves |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Black Pepper |
Yes |
No |
|
Cardamom |
Yes |
No |
|
Star Anise |
Yes |
No |
It’s important to note that chai spices can be switched around quite a bit – depending entirely on your preference. The list above is what a standard cup of masala chai would contain, but chai can be made with other spices (like Bay Leaf and Fennel Seeds). Pumpkin Spice is usually made with only these 5 spices.
Caffeine Content
Pumpkin Spice Lattes are usually prepared with a shot of espresso or some other form of coffee. Iced Masala Chai Lattes are prepared with black tea. Even the strongest black teas (such as Darjeeling Tea from India) tend to have less caffeine in them than coffee, making the Pumpkin Spice Latte more caffeinated.
Taste Comparison
Pumpkin Spice Lattes are made with pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, coffee, and the spices listed above. The proportions of the spices in Pumpkin Spice also tend to lean towards the softer, sweeter spices – such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Overall, this gives pumpkin spice lattes a nutty, bitter, and woody taste profile.
In comparison, Chai Lattes are made with black tea (which tastes earthy and floral) and the spices listed above. The preferred proportion of spices in chai is more ginger and cardamom-oriented; giving the chai latte an earthy, sharp, camphor-like taste profile.
Conclusion
Overall, chai lattes and pumpkin spice lattes have some noticeable overlaps – primarily in their spice blend – but the differences in terms of tea vs. coffee, and the addition of pumpkin puree, make the drinks quite different. For a creamier, sweeter experience, a pumpkin spice latte is a go-to. For a sharper, earthy, but more warming taste, a chai latte is ideal! Of course, if you’re in the mood to combine the best of both worlds, there’s always the Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte!