Pumpkin Spice: Love It or Hate It. Did You Know This About It?
You aren't alone if you have intense feelings about Pumpkin Spice. While many of us genuinely appreciate all things Pumpkin Spice - okay, not all things - others would prefer if the hype died or at least, quietly lost steam.
Here's a tip: it's probably best to embrace the pumpkin creep because the flavor profile has been around for centuries, and it's not going away anytime soon.
Whether or not you are a Pumpkin Spice enthusiast, here are three things you probably didn’t know about it.
#1 Pumpkin Spice doesn't have a pinch of pumpkin in it.
In the 1950s, before Pumpkin Spice became an ingredient in what is arguably the world's most controversial seasonal drinks, McCormick bundled cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and sulfiting agents together, labeling it Pumpkin Pie Sauce. Sometime in the 1960s, they dropped the word "pie" from the name, and it became Pumpkin Spice.
As you might expect, since Pumpkin Spice doesn't contain any of its namesake's orange-fleshed vegetables, the flavor is also completely unrelated.
So, how do you describe its taste?
Well, with its 340 flavor compounds, it's complicated, but food scientist Kantha Shelke, Ph.D., covers it briefly in this Pumpkin Spice 101 video.
#2 Pumpkin Spice may positively impact brain health.
Who knew your kitchen cabinet contained seasonings linked to positive effects on brain health and functioning?
Pumpkin Spice contains cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, all of which work together to sharpen your memory, reduce your stress, and help you get a better night's rest.
While more PSR (Pumpkin Spice research) is needed, be aware that many Pumpkin Spice items contain artificial flavoring and other less-than-healthy ingredients. Read your label to ensure you reap the full health benefits of pumpkin spice or make your own and add it to your morning coffee, oatmeal, baked goods, or smoothies.
#3. Pumpkin Spice has its own National Holiday.
Yep. You read that correctly.
October 1st is National Pumpkin Spice Day, a day that pays homage to the spice that ushers in Autumn - even though here in Central Texas, it very much feels like summer outside.
It's the one day of the year you can set aside any embarrassment you have for your basic girl love of Pumpkin Spice Latte or the more widely accepted Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea Latte (both ready and waiting for you in our full-service coffee house).
But the day isn't just for your caffeine addiction. It also begs consumption of other traditional and delectable Pumpkin Spice recipes like Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Pancakes, Pumpkin Muffins, and our super-rich & moist Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread.