The Pumpkin Spice Phenomenon

The Pumpkin Spice Phenomenon

By: Sophie Smith

In celebration of the 20th birthday of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and the arrival of autumn, it seems fitting to expand our knowledge on a key component of fall: pumpkin spice itself. The combination of ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon creates the infamous pumpkin spice, or pumpkin pie spice, which is the essential mixture for flavoring many fall foods and beverages.

According to HISTORY, these spices have been used in foods for centuries, with the earliest presence of “pumpkin spice” dating back 3,500 years. In 1934, McCormick & Company created the first pre-combined bottle of pumpkin pie spice, coining the name and sealing its fate as the flavor of autumn. Due to the flavor’s consistent popularity every fall season, shelves at grocery stores are lined with pumpkin spice versions of items ranging from Oreos to Spam.

The pumpkin mania does not end there. The scent of pumpkin spice is just as, if not more, popular than the flavor. For those who do not enjoy the taste of pumpkin, the decadent and warm aroma of pumpkin spice makes them a fan. Just like festive food options, you can find a multitude of fragranced products in a pumpkin spice variant during the fall season. Not all pumpkin spice is created equally; some companies’ pumpkin spice items may have a more pungent spice kick than others or even include different components to the scent such as vanilla and brown sugar.

Whether you enjoy pumpkin spice or not, there is no debate that the spice is the backbone of autumn. The mixture of sweet and peppery embodies the cozy and comforting feeling everyone desires when the air starts to chill. 

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