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Basic Pumpkin Items in State College

It’s officially pumpkin hunting season, and I don’t mean that we’re going to play in pumpkin patches. A common staple in being a “basic,” as the kids say (in the least derogatory way possible, of course), is consuming as many pumpkin flavored things in the fall as possible. If you’re one of those people who loves pumpkin flavored things but fears being called “basic,” don’t worry, being basic is really in right now. So embrace your love of pumpkin spice by trying out these essential pumpkin-y products downtown this fall, and let the haters hate.

1. Starbucks: Pumpkin Spice Latte

Rating: 2/5

Yes, the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is the original pumpkin product, but at this point it’s kind of played out. It’s like a gateway drug. It kickstarted your love of the pumpkin flavor in caffeinated beverages, but honestly, it’s kind of weak and way too sugary. It’s time to skip that long-ass line in the HUB and branch out, which leads us to…

2. The McLanaStand: Pumpkin Coffee

Rating: 5/5

First of all, if you don’t know what the McLanaStand is, that’s because I made the name up. The McLanahan’s Downtown Market on Allen Street recently opened a coffee stand as a part of their deli, Agostinelli’s. However, it’s much cuter to call it the McLanaStand, so let’s stick with that. Anyway, its pumpkin coffee is not only way cheaper than Starbucks’, but it’s so much yummier, too. Go buy one and thank me later.

3. Irving’s: Pumpkin Flavored Cream Cheese

Rating: 3/5

The rating here is biased because I’m a cream cheese purist (plain cream cheese on an everything bagel or bust). Regardless of my personal feelings, people go wild for this cream cheese. If you’re a flavored cream cheese kind of person, go ahead and take the leap. Smear it on top of a cinnamon raisin bagel and let your mouth decide for itself.

4. Dunkin’ Donuts: Pumpkin Munchkins

Rating: 4/5

What’s more fun to say than “Dunkin’ Pumpkin Munchkins?” These tasty little things are the size of your mouth, so you get the perfect mouthful of pumpkin flavor. They’re not too overwhelming in their pumpkin-ness, which can often be a problem in pumpkin flavored cuisine. If you’re looking for some extra pumpkin, though, upgrade from the Munchkins to full-fledged donuts, calories be damned.

5. Saint’s: Pumpkin Apple Muffin

Rating: 5/5

Pumpkin and apple are kind of like early 2000’s Britney and Justin — they’re meant to be. Saint’s Cafe has united these two soul mates deliciously in the Pumpkin Apple Muffin. In my opinion, the added apple flavor makes the muffin much better than the Dunkin’ Munchkins. Each bite of the pumpkin-apple combo is like eating autumn air. Disclaimer: Each bite has more calories than a bite of autumn air.

Yes, there are way more pumpkin flavored items downtown than these five, but this list covers the bases, and these items know what they’re doing. If you want to trust a pumpkin product, go for one of these. Enjoy them while you can, though, because soon enough everything will be candy cane flavored.

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