So What’s the Big Deal about Pumpkin Spice?

Pumpkin spice. It’s the quintessential fall flavor. Even though it’s only out in stores for a limited time, the words ‘pumpkin spice’ are mentioned all year round. I think this obsession over pumpkin spice has exponentially increased in the past three or four years. When I was a freshman in high school, my friend would come to school almost every day with a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks in hand. I had never heard of this drink before, and at the time, I wasn’t into coffee. I had no desire to try it. According to the internet (I know, such a reliable source), Starbucks launched the Pumpkin Spice Latte back in 2003. How come this hasn’t become popular except in recent years?

I think that pumpkin spice has become the new Christmas. Back in the day, the Christmas season was highly anticipated by almost everyone. People looked forward to the food, the presents, and the overall excitement surrounding the holiday. Nowadays, Christmas is out in stores in late September. I mean what’s the fun in that? I was at Target just the other day perusing the Halloween section, and there was an entire Christmas section! why? Why? WHY? That takes the fun out of it. In fact, I saw a Christmas commercial in mid-September. Mid-SEPTEMBER! Hobby Lobby had Christmas out in June. Everything has become so commercialized and overdone that I think people needed a new focus, thus the shift from Christmas to pumpkin spice.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love anything pumpkin. In fact, my favorite fall foods post was 95% pumpkin products. I’m just amazed with the whole hype surrounding pumpkin spice. I think the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks had a lot to do with it. It’s a seasonal beverage that a lot of people love. Now, I don’t like it. I don’t think it really has any flavor, and have you seen the color of that stuff?? I don’t need a bright orange drink going into my body. Up until this year, 2015, the Pumpkin Spice Latte has not contained real pumpkin! Oh the irony of that. In fact, a lot of these pumpkin spice products do not even contain real pumpkin.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve fallen even more and more in love with fall. I didn’t used to like it because it meant school started again and you had to break out the long-sleeves. I love it now. I love wearing sweaters, jeans, and boots. I think pumpkin spice is the perfect umbrella for everything fall. Do I want pumpkin spice to go away? Not at all! I love it.

What are your opinions on this pumpkin spice craze? I love hearing from you all!

-Abigail T.