Pumpkin spice: one flavor, so many opinions. Evolving from a seasonal specialty to a national craze, the flavor has caught the attention of Ugg-wearing teenage girls and food execs alike. Here, a guide to the pumpkin spice phenomenon.
History of the craze
Many agree that the pumpkin-spice craze got its start with Starbucks' debut of the pumkin spice latte in 2003. With a little help from industry experts and the Great Recession, soon the flavor was being seen in food products everywhere.
What's inside
News flash to anyone thinking their favorite pumpkin-flavored products contain any sort of, well pumpkin: It’s (usually) all a lie. Most pumpkin spice delicacies only contain a blend of spices commonly found in the pie (think cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice). Below are the ingredients found in popular pumpkin spice mixes and products. Note: Most of the actual spices that create the flavor fall under the “natural and artificial flavors” moniker in ingredient lists.
Farmer’s Almanac Pumpkin Spice Mix Recipe |
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Syrup |
Jell-O Pumpkin Spice Pudding Dessert |
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Top selling pumpkin-flavored food categories
Americans spent $308 million on pumpkin-flavored offerings last year, up from $290 million in 2012, according to Nielsen. Here are the top performing pumpkin-flavored food categories in 2012.
Unexpected pumpkin spice products
Cookies and yogurt and…hummus? Dog treats? Here are some unexpected consumer products jumping on the pumpkin spice bandwagon.
Chobani Pumpkin Spice Greek Yogurt
Twistix Pumpkin Spice Dog Treats
HIT Supplements Pumpkin Spice Protein Powder
Tweets
Outside of capturing the consumer dollar, the pumpkin spice craze has also captured the attention of cynics and fans alike on social media.
The 6th member of the Spice Girls http://t.co/8qmZgYHmxu via @imgur #PSL
— Andrew F Stewart (@AndrewFstewart) September 19, 2014
if you say "pumpkin spice latte" in the mirror 3 times a white girl in yoga pants will appear & tell you all her favorite things about fall
— Grumpy Cat (@GrumpyAssCat) August 29, 2014
A sure sign that Winter is Coming... #PSL pic.twitter.com/pgzGJkxbkX
— Tyrion Lannister (@GoT_Tyrion) September 23, 2014
