What started the pumpkin spice craze?
The big boom of pumpkin spice truly came in the 1990s with the launch of the PSL. A little coffee shop named Starbucks launched the PSL, hesitantly, and initiated the pumpkin spice craze. The latte became the talk of the town with customers everywhere patiently awaiting the fall season just for their coveted PSL. To really understand the pumpkin spice obsession, it helps to know a bit about its origins. The classic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves dates back to early American baking, with pumpkin pie becoming a holiday must-have in the 1800s.Before the PSL, pumpkin spice referred to a blend of spices that was used to flavor pumpkin pie, often combining cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves. The spice blend has long been a part of the American baking tradition.Pumpkin spice (a. Sometimes allspice is included. You can buy the spice blend at the store or use ingredients you already have on hand to make DIY pumpkin spice.A Symphony of Scents Pumpkin spice isn’t just one flavor; it’s a delightful blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and sometimes ginger and allspice. Each of these spices carries compounds that awaken our senses. When combined, they create a symphony of fragrances that tempts our taste buds and leaves us wanting more.
Why is pumpkin spice so iconic?
Why do we love pumpkin spice? Science journalist Alice Gray said the smell rather than the taste of pumpkin spice products is key. The spices used in the pumpkin spice latte have strong associations with holiday seasons, and likely some comforting memories, she said. Why do we love pumpkin spice? Science journalist Alice Gray said the smell rather than the taste of pumpkin spice products is key. The spices used in the pumpkin spice latte have strong associations with holiday seasons, and likely some comforting memories, she said.The seasonal nature of a pumpkin spice latte hacks into the hunter-gatherer parts of our psychology, said Alice. The fact that you can only get them in autumn gives them a sense of scarcity, which drives our desire to get our hands on them.Pumpkin spice season is here, but tariffs could make your favorite fall flavors more expensive. From cinnamon to nutmeg, most spices are imported, and new trade costs may hit grocery shelves, restaurants and even your pumpkin spice latte.With pumpkins linked to holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween, there is a psychological theory called “reactance,” that affects us. Reactance theory, explained by The Conversation, is the strong inclination to act on limited time offers like seasonal pumpkin spice flavors.
What WTF is pumpkin spice?
It is generally a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. It can also be used as a seasoning in general cooking. As of 2016, pumpkin spice consumables produce $500 million in annual sales. Pumpkin spice (a. Sometimes allspice is included. You can buy the spice blend at the store or use ingredients you already have on hand to make DIY pumpkin spice.Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg: combine cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in equal parts to create a homemade pumpkin pie spice substitute.Pumpkin spice originally referred to the spices traditionally paired with pumpkin: usually some combination of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and mace (some recipes use allspice instead of mace, but mace and nutmeg come from the same plant hence their association here).Pumpkin pie spice, also known as pumpkin spice, is an American spice mix developed for flavoring the filling of a pumpkin pie. It does not include pumpkin as an ingredient. Pumpkin pie spice is similar to the British and Commonwealth mixed spice, and the medieval poudre-douce.Common Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitution Questions To get 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, use ¾ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon ginger, allspice, cloves or nutmeg, whatever you have! If you have two of the above spices, use ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of whichever two spices you do have.
What does pumpkin spice do to your body?
Pumpkin spice contains cinnamon, which has antimicrobial properties that can help support immune function. Consuming pumpkin spice can help strengthen your body’s defense mechanisms against infections and illnesses. It also may protect against heart disease and some cancers. Pumpkins also are packed with potassium, which helps muscles contract, regulates body fluids, helps maintain normal blood pressure and balances minerals in the body’s cells.Pumpkin contains immune-promoting nutrients like vitamins A, E, and C, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, iron, magnesium, and beta-carotene. Consuming pumpkin may help manage immune-related diseases, reduce how often you fall sick, and help you recover faster from infections.A pumpkin, from a botanist perspective, is a fruit because it’s a product of the seed-bearing structure of flowering plants. Vegetables, on the other hand, are the edible portion of plants such as leaves, stems, roots, bullbs, flowers, and tubers.Pumpkins are higher in vitamin A and vitamin E, yet potatoes are higher in vitamin B6, potassium, iron, vitamin B3, phosphorus, manganese, and vitamin C. Pumpkins’ daily need coverage for vitamin A is 115% more. Pumpkins have 20 times more vitamin E than potatoes.
Why do people go crazy for pumpkin around this time?
The main reason people feel such a strong connection to pumpkins has to do with the nostalgia we feel about the fall season itself, according to psychologist and licensed clinical social worker, Dr. Danielle Forshee. A pumpkin is a large, round, orange-coloured vegetable with a thick skin.Pumpkin is a term of endearment. Calling someone a pumpkin isn’t an insult. It’s a cute kind of nickname or slang word to express love or affection to someone you care about.
Why do girls love pumpkin spice?
The taste of pumpkin spice may be desirable due to its scarcity, as it’s only available during the fall. In addition to flavor and taste, pumpkin spice can also create nostalgia. Craving spicy foods A desire for heat and spice can sometimes reflect a sluggish metabolism or a zinc deficiency. Spicy foods can trigger endorphin release, which may also indicate emotional or psychological needs like stress relief.So when you smell those spices, it will immediately activate emotive memories of joy, warmth and happiness. And if you’re sipping a pumpkin spice latte, the high levels of sugar in the drink also trigger the brain’s reward system, releasing feel good chemicals making us crave more.Frequency of chili consumption was positively associated with Sensation Seeking and Sensitivity to Reward. Present data indicate individuals who enjoy spicy foods exhibit higher Sensation Seeking and Sensitivity to Reward traits.
What are the criticisms or controversies surrounding the pumpkin spice craze?
One common criticism surrounding pumpkin spice products is that many of them don’t actually contain pumpkin. This makes sense since pumpkin spice is just a blend of spices used to flavor pumpkin desserts. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, pumpkin is incredibly healthy. What’s more, its low calorie content makes it a weight-loss-friendly food. Its nutrients and antioxidants may boost your immune system, protect your eyesight, lower your risk of certain cancers, and promote heart and skin health.Pumpkin is recommended as part of a heart-healthy diet that may help lower your risk of heart disease. It offers a long list of nutrients that protect and support the heart, such as vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, copper, fiber, folate, and manganese.But along with being delicious and ubiquitous, pumpkin is also a nutritional powerhouse. Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, pumpkins help strengthen our immune systems and support healthy vision.Pumpkins are made of 90% water! Surprising, right? For something that feels so solid and hearty, pumpkins are mostly water — which makes them refreshingly light beneath their tough orange skin. That’s why they’re so great for cooking, baking, and even hydrating (hello, pumpkin soup season!