When September arrives, all things pumpkin spice appear as if out of thin, crisp air.

We invite you to explore autumn flavors that don’t involve that overexposed squash-related seasoning. Let our fall-infused tastes — just as good as (or dare we say it, better than) pumpkin spice — inspire you to explore a whole new genre of seasonal flavors.

1. Brown sugar spice

Sweet-and-spicy flavor fans can find a lot to love in the combo of molasses-y brown sugar with pungent black pepper or kicked-up cayenne. Use it as a ham glaze for a savory application or, if you like things on the sweet side, try it in a spiced cookie recipe.

2. Apple cinnamon

Never was there a more iconic duo (except perhaps Sonny and Cher) than apple and cinnamon. In the fall — synonymous with peak apple-picking time — you can find a variety of apple-forward recipes, most of which include cinnamon.

3. Chai

If you make your own chai blend, you'll note it has many of those beloved pumpkin spice flavors in it. When deployed in tea with a bit of creamy milk, chai’s combination of clove, cinnamon, and cardamom creates a soothing, comforting beverage that hits the coffee-craving spot.

4. Ginger

You may associate gingerbread with winter holidays, but ginger is a wonderful fall spice. Fresh ginger delivers more bite than dried, ground ginger, but both forms infuse dishes with flavorful vigor and zip.

5. Maple

Before there was pumpkin spice (about a hundred years ago, it seems), maple was the epitome of fall food and the backbone of many comforting autumnal favorites. But maple is making a comeback, and you may even find a coffee shop placing maple lattes on the menu alongside their PSLs.

6. Pear

Come autumn, pears typically precede apples in the fall fruit season, with harvests from late August through October. Succulent and sweet, this underrated, versatile fruit is a good source of fiber and vitamin C.

7. Browned butter

Neither a spice nor a fruit, this fall flavor adds deep richness to a host of sweet and savory dishes. When cooked down to burn off excess water, butter's milk solids and butterfat separate, and what remains begins to darken and develop the rich, nutty flavor we know as browned butter.

8. Cranberry

While we often equate cranberry with Thanksgiving and Christmas, cranberry’s harvest season — ranging from mid-September through early November — qualifies it as a quintessential fall flavor. Thanks to our freezer, we can buy them fresh in the fall for use year-round.

9. Caramel

Granted, it’s a favorite flavor any time of year, but there’s something about fall that makes caramel especially crave-worthy. Perhaps it's because it's a given in every kid’s Halloween candy haul, or it pairs so well with other fall fruits like apples, pears, and pumpkins.

10. Pumpkin

Truth be told, pumpkin spice has no actual pumpkin flavor. Actual pumpkin is one of our favorite fall flavors for many reasons, but number one is because of how versatile it is.

11. Sage

In the fall, sage brings an earthy and slightly minty flavor to many savory dishes, like soups, casseroles, and poultry. You may feel reminiscent of sage’s flavor during autumn, thanks to its appearance at Thanksgiving mixed into stuffing.

(Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at www.realsimple.com.)

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