Let me begin by saying that I understand the idea of pumpkin fatigue. The pumpkin spice latte was returned to us by the Powers That Be (aka whoever makes such decisions at Starbucks) on August 28th. This, by my own admission, is a ridiculously early time for a fall latte, especially for those of us who live in Georgia, whose first moderately cool breeze came only a few weeks ago. Pumpkin (spiced) products are everywhere and in everything, earlier and earlier. In the face of this total pumpkin immersion, it can be easy to throw up our hands and give up on pumpkin entirely. But I say we must not!
We must ask ourselves why the pumpkin flavor is so pervasive. Why did Starbucks choose to release the latte on the earliest date ever? Why do I have two different brands of pumpkin bagels in the freezer as we speak, presumably confusing my hallmates but delighting me? The answer is simple: pumpkin is GOOD. Furthermore, it is a signifier of the impending holiday season. Make no mistake, I have a deep appreciation for iced coffee season as well. But the hot summer months can feel long and tiresome, as the return to school reminds us all of the joys (?) of writing ten-page research papers. Our immersion into pumpkin marks the return of better days, of cooler weather and the season of giving.
The result of a single trip to Trader Joe’s (and Publix)
Additionally, in our capitalist society, we are simply slaves to what will sell. Starbucks is merely satisfying its own purpose by giving the people what they want. It’s not their fault that most people have no conception of the fact that waiting makes things better. Pumpkin spice makes things fun, and also it is a proven fact that people like anything marketed as “limited edition” about 1000% more*.
The winter season has a lot of more serious connotations, be they religious, familial, or simply facing the cold harsh cruelty of snow and ice. Halloween/fall takes itself much less seriously. If I want a pumpkin spice oil change (from a real — joking — sign I saw in Asheville) then that’s my prerogative. If I want to order a pumpkin shaped pizza with my friends, then so be it! People who are anti-pumpkin tend to be VERY anti-pumpkin, and frankly, it’s not that deep.
Lastly, and I return to an earlier point, pumpkin and pumpkin spice are genuinely delicious (with the exception of pumpkin pie, which is terrible and can burn in hell). Let people enjoy things!! Is the omnipresence of the pumpkin flavor really hurting you? Are you prevented from enjoying your plain black coffee (which of course inherently proves that you yourself are Better Than EveryoneTM) when you see that others have the option of adding a shot of pumpkin syrup to their own coffee? It is my sincerest hope and belief that you are not.
*This is not a proven fact.
All photos courtesy of the author