Buzz
In 2003, Starbucks introduced the pumpkin spice latte, sparking a cultural phenomenon. Now, this seasonal flavoring—which may or may not include real pumpkin—appears in products ranging from SPAM to Cup Noodles. While Pumpkin Spice Mania feels like a modern craze, its origins trace back centuries. As noted by Smithsonian, colonial Americans were using this spice mix as early as the 1700s.
The first documented pumpkin spice recipes can be found in Amelia Simmons's cookbook, American Cookery. Published in 1796, this book features instructions for Johnny Cakes using cornmeal and cranberry sauce, as well as an early take on a Thanksgiving staple: “pompkin” pie.
Traditional American pumpkin pie isn’t merely pumpkin (or squash) puree in a crust. Its distinct taste comes from a blend of cozy spices synonymous with autumn. Simmons’s two “pompkin” pie recipes include ingredients like mace, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice, which are staples in today’s pumpkin spice mixes. While cinnamon and clove—common in modern recipes—are absent, her pies would have delivered the same comforting warmth as a Starbucks PSL.
Simmons’s 1796 pumpkin spice recipes would have missed a crucial element: nostalgia. According to research from Johns Hopkins University, the charm of this seasonal flavor is largely psychological. Since pumpkin spice lattes are enjoyed only during a brief period each year, their taste and scent become tied to memories of that season. If you rush to buy pumpkin spice products as soon as Labor Day passes, it’s likely the emotional response they trigger, rather than their flavor, that draws you in. However, this still doesn’t justify the existence of pumpkin spice toilet paper.
