What do you think of when I mention the word “fall”? Is it the crisp air, the vibrant foliage, the warm sweaters, or the comfy Uggs? If pumpkin spice doesn’t pop into your mind when you think of fall, then you haven’t spent a fall in New England. It’s a familiar scent and flavor that infiltrates our lives every fall, but it is time to take a step back and question the ubiquitous trend that has become synonymous with the fall season.
According to NPR, the scientific reason why pumpkin spice is so popular is the “nostalgia” it invokes. With this distinctive fall flavor comes the feelings of coziness, warmth, and crackling fires. And don’t get me wrong, that familiarity has even got the best of me as it serves as an unmistakable reminder of childhood. In fact, I remember the first time I had a Starbucks PSL as it was a borderline holy experience, almost a rite of passage for many young girls growing up between the years of 2010-2014 when the pumpkin spice trend was on the rise. But as I grew up I realized that it was companies like Starbucks and Dunkin playing a significant role in the craze. From lattes to donuts, muffins, and candles, they’ve made sure that you consume pumpkin spice and pumpkin spice only every fall. Their marketing campaigns create a sense of urgency around this flavor, making it feel like an essential part of your fall experience.
Every Dunkin and Starbucks plasters their newest fall additions to every window, social account, or sign we can lay our eyes on so it’s no wonder everyone is obsessed. But is this marketing-driven obsession with pumpkin spice warranted? Sure, it’s nostalgic, and that nostalgia plays a crucial role in its pull. However, nostalgia alone doesn’t make a flavor the ultimate representation of fall.
The pumpkin spice flavor doesn’t even contain any pumpkin if you can believe that. The apparent pumpkin spice essence comes from “nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice”. So, when you’re sipping on that pumpkin spice latte, you’re not really indulging in real pumpkin flavor.
While I do love exploring the dominating fall flavor of pumpkin and low-key hating on it, there are other flavors that deserve your taste buds’ attention so let’s explore some alternatives that encapsulate fall in a more authentic way.
- Warm Brown Sugar: the rich, molasses sweetness perfectly complements a multitude of flavors and scents.
- Apple Cider: another classic, and underrated fall flavor and scent that in my opinion reigns supreme.
- Vanilla: a timeless classic that never gets old.
- Maple Syrup: this syrupy sweet topping is another underrated, versatile fall must-try.
Pumpkin spice undoubtedly carries the fall season, but it is not the ultimate fall flavor it’s cracked up to be. Instead of succumbing to the pumpkin spice mania, let’s take a step back and savor the different tastes of fall, from the crisp apples to nutty undertones, and appreciate the season for all its other flavors. Maybe try something new instead of the candle-esque flavor of pumpkin spice.
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