We have all heard of Pumpkin Spice. Whether you get a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Dunkin or Starbucks, enjoy pumpkin-flavored baked goods, or even use candles with the scent, there is no denying its popularity. But why is everyone, kids, teens, and adults alike, obsessed with this flavor?
Pumpkin spice is truly the epitome of fall. The warm scents of pumpkin and herbs help transport you to a vision of a crisp day outside with leaves falling all around. The spice blend was commercially created in 1934 by McCormick & Company and has continued to grow in usage since then. The initial purpose of this spice, with a bold combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, was to be a part of baking. No one can deny that pumpkin bread is a true treat in the fall, and this spice blend helped to truly bring it to life.
But why has pumpkin spice become so popular and more commercialized than ever before? Well, it all started in 2003 with the brand new release of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, or PSL, by Starbucks. It was originally only launched in 100 Starbucks franchises in 2003, but now has grown so popular that the coffee chain has sold about 424 million of them in the United States alone.
This year, Starbucks launched their fall menu, including the PSL and other fall-flavored drinks and food earlier than ever before. These popular items were released on August 24th, almost a whole month before the official start of fall. This did not stop customers from enjoying their treats, however. Millions of people flocked to their nearest Starbucks to get their hands on a festive drink or snack. An estimated 20 million PSLs are sold at Starbucks each year, and this earlier release date may even help break that record.
Many brands have begun to include pumpkin spice flavoring into their products in hope that they too will experience the same success as Starbucks. From the new collaboration between Dunkin and Goldfish with their “Pumpkin Spice Grahams”, to pumpkin Cheerios and yogurts, one thing is definitely clear: Americans are truly obsessed with this fall flavor. So next time you find yourself passing a coffee shop, or seeing seasonal items in the grocery store, give pumpkin spice a try. You never know if you too will end up being a part of the pumpkin spice hype.
