Love warming spices but torn between gingerbread, mellow pumpkin and a cup that tastes a little like banana bread? They may sound similar, yet each makes a distinctly different latte. Your best match depends on how prominent you like the spices, the texture you enjoy and the milk you pour alongside them.
This guide compares the three spiced blends in the Fruity Latte range: Gingerbread Latte, Pumpkin Spice Latte and Banana Spéculoos. One puts spices first, one wraps them in pumpkin and one pairs them with banana. Use the differences to choose your next cup with a clear idea of what is actually in each blend.
Three spiced lattes, three distinct characters
| Feature | Gingerbread Latte | Pumpkin Spice Latte | Banana Spéculoos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main flavour | Gingerbread, ginger and cinnamon | Velvety pumpkin and gentle spices | Banana with spiced-biscuit notes |
| Blend base | Date and eight spices | Pumpkin, date and three spices | Banana, date and eight spices |
| Overall character | Spicy and bold | Mild with a subtle vegetable note | Fruity, rounded and indulgent |
| Best season | November to February | September to November | All year round |
| Drink colour | Caramel beige | Orange | Caramel beige |
The finished colour depends on the amount of powder and the milk you choose. It is a useful visual clue, but cannot tell you the strength or quality of a blend on its own.
Gingerbread Latte: for a proper gingerbread spice profile
Choose Gingerbread Latte when you want the spices to lead, with a bolder aromatic presence than Pumpkin. Ginger gives it character, cinnamon adds roundness and the remaining spices bring depth. Date softens the edges with a fruity sweetness.
What is actually in it?
The ingredients are date, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, clove, allspice, fennel and nutmeg. That is nine ingredients, including eight spices: date is a fruit. There are no biscuit pieces or crumbled gingerbread in the powder; the name describes its flavour.
When should you choose it?
It feels particularly at home in a November mug, with an afternoon snack in December or after a winter walk. Start at the lower end of the recommended quantity for your first taste; you can make the next cup stronger. A neutral-tasting milk lets the blend show through, while a rounder base softens the impression of spice.
Already familiar with the drink and curious about its inspiration? Our article on gingerbread traditions across Europe follows the journey from biscuit to cup.
Pumpkin Spice Latte: a gentler autumn option
Pumpkin Spice Latte is for those who enjoy spices cushioned by a velvety base. Pumpkin gives it a subtle vegetable character, quite different from banana or date. Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg complement that base without aiming for Gingerbread's more intense profile.
Five ingredients, with no syrup to make
The short ingredient list is pumpkin, date, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. You do not need to add pumpkin purée or flavoured syrup to create this taste. The blend already contains its vegetable base and spices; your choice of liquid determines the volume and creaminess.
It is a natural starting point for an autumn drink in October or early November. Stay with this blend if pumpkin and gentle spices are what you enjoy most. If you want a more festive gingerbread aroma, try Gingerbread rather than continually increasing the amount of Pumpkin powder.
Banana Spéculoos: for banana-bread and biscuit lovers
Banana Spéculoos brings banana bread into latte form. Banana gives it a recognisable flavour and velvety feel, rounded out by date and spices. It is a good option when you want an indulgent drink that still has a clear fruit flavour.
Speculoos flavour, without biscuits in the powder
It contains banana, date, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, clove, allspice and fennel. The eight spices recall speculoos biscuits; this does not mean the blend contains flour or crushed biscuits. Banana sets it firmly apart from Gingerbread even though several of the spices overlap.
Its appeal extends beyond winter. Enjoy it warm in colder months or cold when the weather brightens up. If a gingerbread flavour feels a little too intense, this is another way into the world of spiced lattes.
Which milk makes a fair comparison?
Use the same milk and volume for all three cups if you want to compare them properly. Changing the powder, quantity and plant-based drink at once makes the result hard to interpret. Start with a base you already like, then adjust one thing at a time.
To let the spices come through
Choose plain milk or a mild-tasting plant-based drink without added vanilla flavour. Read the ingredients: some barista versions contain added sugar, while others do not. That changes the sweetness of your cup even when the powder stays the same.
For a rounder cup
An oat drink can complement the biscuit notes in Banana Spéculoos and Gingerbread. Coconut brings a stronger flavour of its own, so use it if that pairing appeals to you and expect it to make its presence felt. Our guide to choosing plant-based milk for a latte helps you weigh up the options.
Quantity, temperature and texture: the shared essentials
For all three blends, the usual method starts with 1–2 teaspoons of powder. Mix it with a splash of liquid to make a smooth paste, then add 150–200 ml of milk. Heat the milk to 65–70°C at most, without boiling. Making the paste first helps distribute the powder before you add the full volume.
If the first cup tastes too intense, keep to one teaspoon and use the larger amount of milk. If it seems too mild, try closer to 150 ml before adding more powder. This helps you find your own balance while keeping the differences between the blends clear.
Froth the milk separately, then pour it over the mixed base. Taste the drink on its own before automatically topping it with whipped cream or biscuits. You can then decide whether to add an extra indulgent finish, which will also change its composition.
No added sugars and caffeine-free: what those labels mean
All three powders are 100% natural, with no added sugars, artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. They are caffeine-free, vegan, gluten-free and made in France. No added sugars does not mean sugar-free: date, and banana where present, naturally contain sugars. Milk and any extras also contribute to the finished drink.
Dairy milk makes the cup non-vegan; an espresso adds caffeine. Consider every ingredient when checking allergens: the powders are packed in a facility that handles nuts, milk and gluten. Check both the sachet label and your chosen milk for your particular requirements.
Which one will you reach for next?
The useful shorthand is Gingerbread for bold spices, Pumpkin for mellow pumpkin and Banana Spéculoos for comforting banana. As November approaches, Gingerbread naturally follows on from Pumpkin season. Banana Spéculoos remains an all-season option if you prefer to keep a favourite flavour throughout the year.
There is more to the range than spice: Fraise Tropicale combines strawberry, banana and mango, while Passion Cassis brings together passion fruit, blackcurrant and date. Find these fruitier alternatives alongside the three blends in this guide in the Fruity Latte collection.
Frequently asked questions about spiced lattes
How do Gingerbread Latte and Pumpkin Spice Latte differ?
Gingerbread Latte combines date with eight spices for a bold gingerbread profile. Pumpkin Spice Latte contains pumpkin, date, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg for a gentler taste with a subtle vegetable note.
Does Banana Spéculoos contain biscuits?
No. It contains banana, date and eight spices. Its name refers to its spiced-biscuit flavour; there are no crushed speculoos biscuits in the blend.
Do these three lattes contain coffee?
No. All three powders are caffeine-free and contain no coffee. Adding espresso introduces caffeine to the finished drink.
Does no added sugars mean sugar-free?
No. The fruit in the blends naturally contains sugars. Milk and any toppings also affect the amount of sugar in the cup.
Which spiced latte should I choose for November and December?
Gingerbread Latte suits those who enjoy gingerbread and bold spices. Pumpkin Spice Latte extends autumn with pumpkin and gentle spices, while Banana Spéculoos offers a banana-based option all year round.
