Ali Chiavetta
Features Writer

It’s that fabulous time of year again, when the most delicious foods seem to come out of hiding and appear in grocery stores and cafés everywhere.

If fruit flavored treats are what you crave, fall is a prime season for apples, which means that apple products are everywhere. Freshly-made apple cider is available for purchase at local orchards but is also sold in nearby grocery stores. Apple cider is the perfect combination of a smooth and tangy beverage that embodies the essence of fall.

As well as the cider itself, certain stores sell apple cider donuts, which are a delicacy that you can’t pass up. Apples also make appearances in pies, tarts, and the ever-popular caramel and candy apples. Whether you’re bobbing for them, or sipping from a mug of warm apple cider, apples are a delicious fall treat.

Many of the most popular fall foods include pumpkin in the ingredients. Pumpkins manage to find their way into almost every dish imaginable, including breads, muffins, cakes, pies, cheesecakes, and smoothies. Places like Starbucks Coffee have made fortunes off of their famed Pumpkin Spice Lattes, as well as their pumpkin muffins and scones.

It’s hot chocolate time again! Try a flavored hot chocolate like mint or raspberry.

The pumpkin trend has evolved into more than just turning them into jack-o’-lanterns. Besides using the inside of a pumpkin to make tasty fall treats, the seeds are also edible. Roasted pumpkin seeds are a snack that is both healthy and delectable.

Besides enjoying pumpkin flavored items, lovers of the autumn season are familiar with other popular drinks to keep warm. Hot chocolate is a delicious way to keep both your belly and your hands warm. To add a twist to tradition, many cafés have added different flavors. Popular hot chocolate flavorings include pumpkin, cookies and cream, white chocolate, mint, and raspberry.

You can also stay warm by wrapping your hands around a salted caramel mocha from Starbucks. The unexpected pinch of salt enhances the sweet taste of the caramel, combining the two for an awesome flavor experience.

Roasted pumpkin seeds are not only tasty, they’re healthy too.

If warm drinks aren’t your cup of tea, another popular fall food is turkey. Though often seen as a Thanksgiving staple, turkey is a delicious meat that offers many health benefits. Turkey is low in fat and high in protein, which makes it a great addition to your favorite sandwich. Come Nov. 22, turkey will be all the rage, and families across the country will be enjoying this fall delight.

Another food often seen in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving is the cranberry. Cranberries are a popular addition to trail mixes and salads but are also a delicious treat on their own. Like turkey, cranberries also have proven health benefits such as being full of antioxidants, cutting bad cholesterol, and fighting infections.

Last but not least, you can enjoy the ever popular fall candy: candy corn. Candy corn can be found in every grocery store and is perfect to get you in the mood for autumn and the approach of Halloween and Thanksgiving.

So, the next time you visit John Herr’s or take a trip to the nearest orchard, make sure you pick up some of these foods to accentuate your autumn!