With Bucknell entering September, all things autumn have officially made their way to campus. As everyone knows, the start of autumn is determined not by our calendars, but when brands like Dunkin’ or Starbucks release their pumpkin spice fall menu. But why do people flock and adore these artificially-flavored pumpkin products? And why is it only autumn that gets these ‘delicious’ treats? I am a firm believer that the pumpkin spice craze is nothing more than a trend that is completely capitalized on and not worth the hype.
The idea of pumpkin spice sounds appealing at first, but what even is it? Some people are convinced they can taste the pumpkin inside, but it’s called “pumpkin spice,” implying it’s just the spices typically used in pumpkin products, and nothing else remotely related to actual fall produce. Various brands and products will even add variations of nutmeg or cinnamon or ginger and other spices. There’s even pumpkin pie spice blends available at Walmart for cooking up your own recipes. How do we call it pumpkin spice if most of the time, we don’t even really understand what it is? There is no clear-cut definition of it, but if a product has it listed on the label, then it will definitely be bought.
Anytime someone thinks of fall, they think of pumpkin spice. After all, it is the flavor that makes the season. But why don’t we have a winter flavor? Or a spring or summer flavor? Fall is the only season that has its own designated flavor profile, and all the other seasons are left out. Perhaps this is the reason why so many people claim autumn as their favorite season, because they can physically taste the season on their tongue. How can any other season compete?
Expanding on the designated flavor of pumpkin spice— what does the flavor even taste like? I have tried the craze, the pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin pie donuts, but they never taste any different than a plain glazed donut or a regular iced coffee. Why pay the extra price for flavor when the flavor is no different? I have a pack of Starbucks pumpkin spice Keurig coffee pods I make every morning for my daily latte, but it tastes no different than my regular coffee. Why am I paying dollars more for the same amount of coffee with the same flavor? But it’s not just the coffee craze that gives a placebo effect. My friends and I have been victims of donuts, bear claws, funnel cakes and waffles all gloriously labelled ‘pumpkin spice’, but taste no different than the ordinary product, besides maybe a touch of cinnamon.
All of this to say, I am not an all-time despiser of autumn flavors. There have been some wonderful seasonal foods like apple-cider donuts, pumpkin cinnamon rolls and pecan-caramel coffees that make my all-time favorite foods list. But if a brand labels a product ‘fall’ or ‘pumpkin spice’ flavored, then I am always wary, and you should be too.
