It’s that time of year, again. Autumn brings on all kinds of fun: falling leaves to play in, cooler weather to actually enjoy (compared to summer and winter), and of course, Halloween. However, there is one new tradition that’s either extremly loved or hated: Pumpkin Spice Everything. That’s right, America’s oldest domesticated vegetable (or gourd, whatever you want to call it) has somehow made itself the must have food trend since the initial explosion. The big question: how did this oddity of a food trend start?
Need a New Promo? Why Not Pumpkins?
What’s one way major fast-food and coffee shops can bring in double the foot traffic while still making a profit? Limited-offered seasonal flavours. Think of your favourite holidays or seasons and the flavours you associate with them: Christmas/Winter might be associated with candycaneflavours or mint chocolate, St. Patrick’s Day with anything very green and possibly minty – you get the idea. Pumpkin spice is the Fall version of that. Holidays like Thanksgiving and Halloween are associated with pumpkins, so of course that’s probably where the idea came from.
Where Did it All Start?
Pumpkin spice flavours have been around since the early 2000s, but are reciving an enourmous amount hype in recent years. There’s no for-sure reason as to why, but many chalk it up to social media. Either way, pumpkin spice has reached such fame that many places have added it to their holiday repitoire, even if it doesn’t line up with their normal lineup.
As mentioned before, back in 2003 a group of Starbucks employees gathered in what they call a “liquid lab” to create a seasonal fall drink. The idea of having a traditional fall dessert – pumpkin pie – in the form of a drink that complimented esspresso was approved by those in charge. After undergoing several taste-tests, the mash-up of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg (among other ingredients) was finally ready to hit Starbucks.
Despite the backlash many have given the holiday drink, it hasn’t stopped fans from Tweeting, Instagramming, and sharing over other means. Both good and bad press have been the suspected source of the drink’s popularity, causing to to reach other mediums.
Beyond Coffee
This phenomenon of flavour has surpassed coffee. Yes, you can buy candles that smell like the drink and cute novelty tote bags, but it goes way beyond that.
Pumpkin Spice can be found in gum, yogurt, chips, and major cookie brands – but how did we get this far? Many studies say it’s all about psychology. Have you ever actually eaten a pumpkin? You’ll notice that it’s not quite the same as having these off-gourd foods and gums.
As soon as you consume something with this flavour two things happen. Emotionally, you reminice about crisp breezes and jumping into piles of leave, or maybe even Halloween and fall colours. It reminds you of the good parts of autumn. Then, there’s the fact that it’s only available for a limited time. It’s a tactic used frequently in marketing, and it helps to bring in sales. The idea that something is scarce makes it more desirable, again, making people want it more.
What are your thoughts on the pumpkin craze? Comment below and tell us what you think!
