Woodbridge High students describe their favorite fall foods and drinks and explain why they are meaningful.
Natalie Ramirez
Junior Natalie Ramirez is an avid hot chocolate drinker and says her favorite spot to get hot chocolate is Urth Caffe.
“I start drinking [hot chocolate] as soon as fall starts,” Ramirez said. “[I enjoy the] richer, milk chocolatey taste and I love when it [has] marshmallows in it and sometimes even peppermint on top.”
Ramirez says that her family loves to drink hot chocolate. Her favorite fall food, pumpkin pie, also holds a lot of significance for her family.
Ramirez’s family also has a tradition of eating pumpkin pie every Thanksgiving. She says they get the pumpkin pie from Costco and cover the pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Ramirez describes this family tradition as fun and enjoyable.
Alexander Chau
Junior Alexander Chau enjoys going to Hui Lau Shan for the Mango Coconut Duo Mix and egg waffles.
“My brother [and I] grew up eating [egg waffles]… so it’s just particularly nostalgic for me, especially during fall time,” Chau said.
Chau’s mom’s side of the family is from Taiwan. Growing up in the United States, Chau ate egg waffles because his mom brought his family to places heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine.
Also, Chau likes to drink green tea in the fall. The earthy flavors of green tea can feel very soothing and filling in the chilly weather of the fall season. Tea is often associated with refreshing the mind and providing tranquility, making it perfect for the fall season which is very eventful and full of change.
His family plays a large role in green tea being his favorite fall drink.
“My dad usually drinks like a whole ton of it,” Chau said.
Catherine Guertin and Carla Guertin
Juniors Catherine Guertin and Carla Guertin enjoy fall drinks from Starbucks.
“My favorite fall drink is the pumpkin spice chai with oat milk. It’s just really good with the cold foam,” Catherine Guertin said.
Carla Guertin shares her experience with getting drinks with fall flavors at Starbucks.
“I like pairing the pumpkin flavoring with other drinks like shaken espressos,” Carla Guertin said.
When the Guertins crave a sweet fall dessert, they often turn to the pumpkin chocolate chip loaf that their family makes.
“It’s just like this kind of fluffy pumpkin bread and it has a bunch of chocolate chips… The chocolate chips are very melty. So good,” Catherine Guertin said.
The pumpkin chocolate chip loaf recipe is from their grandmother, making the dessert extra special.
Carla Guertin says she likes pumpkin spice-flavored foods at Trader Joe’s. “The pumpkin spice bagels [are] amazing. And I really like the pumpkin ginger mini scones,” Carla Guertin said.
For the Guertins, the fall season is also very eventful. Carla Guertin says that their family is very enthusiastic about Halloween.
“Every year we get a 300-pound pumpkin and put it in our front yard because our dad’s really into it,” Carla Guertin said. “We both have a November birthday, so we’re very fall-centered,” Carla Guertin said.
The fall season means a lot to Catherine Guertin and Carla Guertin and the pumpkin-centered foods and drinks they enjoy help to enhance the important memories of the season.
Woodbridge High students can enjoy the comforts of their favorite fall foods and drinks, making fun memories and spending time with the people they love in the process.
