The Best Homemade Pumpkin Latte
Pumpkin latte – Hormone Balancing
The temperatures are dropping, the days are getting shorter, the air is crisp, even nippy in the morning! Ahhhh, yes. For those of you who have been in sweltering summer temperatures, you are welcoming the arrival of autumn as much as I am. With the new season comes new flavors, new ingredients, new cravings. Fall has arrived, and pumpkins are everywhere! Time for that seasonal palate pleaser… a pumpkin latte! Mmmmmm!
But wait, I see some of you cringing from the overdose of sugar and sweetness. Perhaps you have been to Starbuck’s one too many times, or have only ever tasted their version. Sigh. I have never really been a fan of Starbuck’s itself or of their lattes.
Do hear me out! I am here to tell you there is another way! Pumpkin lattes do not have to be loaded with artificial flavors, overly sweet or dairy-based. Believe it or not, they don’t even have to be caffeinated with coffee. Coffee is not the best thing for our hormones, so best to avoid it. Not to worry! I’ll give you another caffeine option that you can add to this delectable fall treat, and shhhh!, it actually has health and hormonal benefits!
This Pumpkin Latte recipe
I have created for you contains all organic ingredients, no artificial anything, dandelion root, fresh spices, Chaga mushrooms, coconut milk and a hint of maple syrup.
It is super easy to make at home, and it is so much cheaper!
The latte is very decadent, rich and creamy. You can also add ½ teaspoon of Matcha tea, if you want some caffeine in it.
Matcha tea works a little differently than coffee. Unlike coffee, which gives you a crash of energy within a few hours of drinking it, Matcha will provide you with steady energy, about 6-7 hours, and won’t give you that ‘coffee crush’. Matcha contains L-theanine, which is a precursor for serotonin and dopamine, and it acts like a mood enhancer. Matcha will give you a gentle energy boost, without feeling shaky like you do after drinking coffee.
I love having this pumpkin latte in the afternoon when my energy is a little low… it is my late afternoon sweet treat. I used Maple syrup because it has low fructose content and contains lots of antioxidants and minerals. It is also lower on the glycemic index than sugar, meaning it has a better impact on the control of your blood sugar, which is essential for balanced hormones.
In addition to all these ingredients, you can also add one tablespoon of MCT oil, which is a form of saturated fatty acid, or a medium-chain triglyceride, to be precise. It helps speed up your metabolism, improve cognitive function, balance your hormones, fight viruses and bacterial infections, and it is a great fat to add. Coconut milk and MCT oil will keep you feeling full, and they will prevent blood sugar spikes.
I also added medicinal mushrooms – Chaga – for their health benefits. They have immune modulation properties and they are antiviral, helping to balance blood sugar. Chaga mushrooms are great detoxifiers. Proper detoxification is essential for hormonal balance. They also help improve the performance of your adrenals, as they are considered to be adaptogens. Adaptogens bring homeostatic balance in the body. If stress hormones are too high, they lower and stabilize them, and if stress hormones are too low, they raise and stabilize them.
Enjoy this wonderful recipe or Hormone Balancing Dandelion and Chickory Root Latte on the cold days of winter or on a more relaxed, brisk day of fall.
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Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #thetastesoflifeholisticblog
Ingredients
- 1 c full-fat coconut milk
- 3 tbsp pumpkin puree
- ½ tbsp dandelion root
- 1 tsp Chaga mushrooms
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1/8 tsp vanilla
- dash of lemon juice
- 1 tbsp MCT oil optional
- 1/2 tsp Matcha powder tea optional
