It’s finally fall and that means…it’s apple season. Apple pie, apple crisp, apple donuts, caramel apples, candy apples and the most essential fall staple, apple cider. These are some of the many things apple season blesses us with. 

Even though fall is apple season, some people love to argue that the fall season is the pumpkin spice latte’s time to shine, and it is according to aboudning sales of the drink. Yet, it’s not nearly as good as a hot cup of apple cider.

First off, apple cider has the perfect amount of sweetness and flavor. Cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla combine with sweet and tart apple juice to make an amazing, fulfilling drink. Pumpkin spice lattes and other pumpkin spice flavors are just way too sugary, sweet and overpowering. It’s almost sickening how sweet pumpkin spice lattes can be.

Apple cider is also surprisingly healthy. Apples are loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants. They contain something called flavonol, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. As someone who comes from a long family history of heart disease, I greatly appreciate how heart-healthy apple cider is. 

As if that wasn’t enough, apple cider can also help reduce high cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels, mainly due to its high antioxidant content. Due to how apple cider is made, it can also improve digestion and it may contain antiviral properties. 

Whenever I’m feeling a bit under the weather, or just want something warm to drink during the chilly fall season, I always grab one or two blankets, choose a mug from my ever-growing collection and pour myself some hot apple cider. So, when the temperature drops, grab yourself a soft blanket and a hot mug of apple cider, instead of that sickeningly sweet pumpkin spice latte. Trust me, you won’t regret it.