By Summer Rogers
Published: November 02, 2009

By Summer Rogers
Daily Titan Staff Writer

Here in Southern California, the leaves don’t change color and fall, nor does the temperature drop below 50 degrees, so the question remains, how do Southern Californians know it is autumn? Why, when pumpkin flavoring invades our lattes, smoothies and beers, of course.

However, it seems that pumpkin flavoring doesn’t stop at just those anymore; pumpkin is now taking over Hershey’s Kisses, pancakes, muffins, scones, bread, candles, tea and ice cream.

Starbucks Coffee is a pumpkin lover’s dream. With the pumpkin spice syrup, any type of beverage can be made – from pumpkin spice lattes (hot or iced) to pumpkin spice steamers (just syrup and milk, no espresso) to pumpkin spice Frappuccinos (made with either coffee or cream). They also offer pumpkin cream cheese muffins, pumpkin scones and pumpkin bread.

Jack in the Box offers a seasonal pumpkin pie ice cream shake, topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. This treat is for the pumpkin lover with a sweet tooth. The shake tastes like a sweet, blended slice of pumpkin pie.

Jamba Juice blends a limited-time smoothie called Pumpkin Smash. Similar to the Jack in the Box shake, the smoothie tastes like a blended slice of pumpkin pie. Though the smoothie is not as sweet. It doesn’t skimp on taste. Think of it as a healthier alternative to the shake.

Cold Stone Creamery even gets in on the pumpkin action with their two seasonal concoctions: the Harvest Crunch and the Pumpkin Pie in the Sky.

Harvest Crunch is a mixture of pumpkin ice cream with Heath Bar pieces, caramel and walnuts. Pumpkin Pie in the Sky combines pumpkin ice cream with graham cracker pie crust, caramel and whipped cream.

For flavored coffee lovers, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf offers pumpkin-flavored coffee beans in 12-ounce bags. Although Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf does not offer pumpkin-flavored tea, it can easily be found online at Amazon.com or on eBay.

The classic, American beverage beer even gets its own autumn makeover. There are several types of beer that come in pumpkin flavor. Check out the Web site DrinkCraftBeer.com for a pumpkin taste-off to help you decide which pumpkin beer you may like. In the meantime, head over to BJ’s Restaurant for BJ’s Pumpkin Ale. It’s a good beer for both regular and irregular beer drinkers.

For the people who love ambiance, Bath & Body Works’ Pumpkin Patch and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin scents will make it instantly feel like fall in the comfort of your own home. Both scents are available as candles, concentrated room spray and home fragrance oil.

Whether it’s bread or beer, their is a cornucopia of ways to get your fill of pumpkin flavor during autumn.

Cal State Fullerton students commented on all the pumpkin that has invaded our lives.

“I don’t like pumpkin-flavored things because they’re too sweet and don’t taste like pumpkin, but I love pumpkin pie because it’s just sweet enough and awesomely delicious,” said Jonathan Lee, a 20-year-old accounting major and Fullerton resident.

“I love the fall season because it brings chilly weather and fun flavors like pumpkin. Although, I really only enjoy pumpkin pie because it taste more natural compared to the flavored candies or pumpkin spice lattes. I love the spicy smells that the pumpkin scent brings because it reminds me of fall and the cozy weather,” said undeclared major Lauren Gurley, an 18-year-old La Habra resident.

“I like the pumpkin flavor. It’s a great kick-off to the fall season. It’s sweet but also has a hint of spice. I enjoy the pumpkin spice latte, and my favorite pumpkin (flavored item) is the pumpkin loaf,” said Melissa Medrano, a 25-year-old Fullerton resident and returning student applying for the teaching credential program.