Pumpkin Lovers, Do You Really Know What You're Eating?

Pumpkin lovers, take heed.

Most restaurant managers are not wheeling in giant, orange gourds to make your September lattes. Unfortunately, they may be cackling over a coffee pot, dumping in pumpkin-flavored ingredients that--well--actually have nothing at all to do with pumpkin.

Now, infamously known for their "fall" flavored Pumpkin Spice Latte, coffee lovers throughout the United States will flock to Starbucks for a taste that's reminiscent of trick-or-treating, crunching leaves and apple picking, but that's also available well into March, if you ask for it.

According to SFGate, this drink that consists primarily of nonfat milk and 37 grams of sugar does not, indeed, contain any pumpkin. And neither does a lot of our other favorite "pumpkin" products, including Nabisco's new Pumpkin Spice Oreos. The key to their "pumpkin" flavor? Sugar and spice, we're guessing.

In any case, we've composed a list of some treats/recipes that do contain actual pumpkin for the hardcore pumpkin-lovers out there.

Pumpkin Seeds: Hungry for a quick snack? Most gas stations or bodegas and supermarkets have sweet and salty pumpkin seeds on sale, according to Real Simple.

Pumpkin Pie: Unfortunately, most pumpkin pies that you'd purchase at a store are unlikely to have real pumpkin in them or very little, if they do. However, finding the right recipe can be fun and a healthy. Try out this one, via All Recipes.

Pumpkin Soup: This can be an easy and fun side to add with any meal. Check out the yummy and creamy recipe here, courtesy of Pioneer Woman.