What Is Pumpkin Spice, Actually?

Folks, you knew it was coming! The surfboards and sunscreen are being put away, the leaves are falling, and the decorative gourds are being placed in every bare spot in the house. It’s pumpkin spice season at last! Depending on your viewpoint, this can be a joyous occasion or insufferable. Wherever you happen to autumn on that spectrum, er, I mean FALL on that spectrum, it’s always good to know the facts! So today, we take a good long look at the seasonal sensation that is pumpkin spice. 

What is pumpkin spice?

Pumpkin spice is an epic melange of fall spices combined to create a flavor meant to evoke pumpkin pie. It typically doesn’t actually taste like pumpkin and usually does not even use pumpkin as an ingredient. The pumpkin is implied, like the taste of “earth” in a fine wine that doesn’t actually include dirt. 

What is in pumpkin pie spice?

There are some variations on homemade mixes, but generally speaking, pumpkin pie spice includes ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. 

How to make pumpkin spice?

You probably already have all the pumpkin spice ingredients somewhere in your kitchen, just waiting to be combined! To make a single teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, combine ¾ teaspoon cinnamon with ¼ teaspoon each of ground ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Then sprinkle it on or in whatever you see fit!

Who invented pumpkin spice?

Blended pumpkin pie spice was officially introduced commercially by McCormick & Company in 1934. But we have Starbucks to thank for making it a seasonal classic. The coffee chain debuted the Pumpkin Spice Latte in January 2003, adding it to their menu of seasonal drinks. 

Pumpkin spice has become just as much a fall tradition as raking leaves and complaining that your neighbor’s Halloween decorations have taken it just a bit too far with the fake blood and guts.