Flavors of Fall Holiday Season Begins

Is it just me, or are Americans infatuated with seasonal flavors? Think of pumpkin spice for example. Towards the end of summer coffee houses begin to offer their pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie is added to the dessert lists at diners, and pumpkin beers are found on tap and in liquor stores. I suppose there is something about these flavors that moves us into the holiday mood. Other tastes that become more popular are apple, caramel, cinnamon, peppermint, and gingerbread, to name a few. I guess there is something wonderful about saving these vibrant, inviting tastes for this time of year. It gives us something to look forward to as it gets colder and we start to spend more time at home. Have you ever questioned where these flavors came from? Consider cinnamon for example... Cinnamon was first used in Sri Lanka, formerly named Ceylon and can be traced back to 2800 B.C. Through history, this spice was so strongly sought after that wars have been waged over it! Used as a sort of currency, medicine, for embalming (peculiar, eh?), and an aphrodisiac, cinnamon has been valued all over the world throughout the course of human history. Now you'll have something to consider the next time you eat a cinnamon roll! At the start of each holiday season I cannot wait to mow down on some holiday specialties including a peppermint mocha (although I prefer mine with white chocolate) or a bite of apple crumble. Another of my favorites is gingerbread cookies with candy buttons. YUM! I am salivating just writing about this! What if this winter holiday you could deliver someone the ideal gift of all these flavors? If you know someone who is in need of a tiny bit of holiday cheer, give them a Grand Gourmet Gift basket from Baskets By Rita. The best of the best! Our Holiday Grand Gourmet gift basket is our highest quality basket and it contains a little bit of everything. Smoked Gouda cheese, Shiraz wine cheese, crackers, fancy mixed nuts, tin of holiday cookies, white chocolate snowflake candy, Jelly Belly candies, smoked salmon, Oatmeal raisin cookies, beef sausage, olives, raspberry honey dipping mustard, gourmet pretzel twists, Starbuck's Coffee, dark chocolate orange sticks, pita chips, caramel corn, Ghirardelli chocolates, pistachios, and much, much more. A great holiday gift for anyone on your list. $175 listed and shown Go easy on yourself this year with your holiday shopping and leave the work up to us. While you're at it, why not get a little something for yourself? Ultimately, the holidays are intended to be enjoyed! If you found this blog interesting, why not share it with your friends on Facebook or Twitter? Thanks for the repost!