Pumpkin Spice, is it Really all that Nice?

By: EllaRain Mordente '21

(Image courtesy of dishingjh.com)

As fall begins to trickle into our hearts as it is October, pumpkin spice becomes one of the most desired flavors out there. Starbucks’ menu is filled with pumpkin spice lattes and frappuccinos, Bed Bath and Beyond has its pumpkin spice candles in the front of the store; pumpkin spice is everywhere. But is it actually as good as it’s made out to be?

Fall is one of the most exciting seasons: sweater weather, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and most of all pumpkin spice. The stigma behind pumpkin spice and fall is huge. It’s like you can’t have fall without pumpkin spice. It has become a cultural expectation. When you ask someone what the first word that comes to their head in relation to the fall season is, it will probably be pumpkin spice. Everyone says that they can’t wait for fall so they can have a pumpkin spice latte and light their pumpkin spice candles, but if it was actually as good as people make it out to be around the fall season, wouldn't they just have pumpkin spice flavored things all the time?

As pumpkin spice is associated with the fall season and holidays, the flavor is built up by society, but isn’t actually as good as people make it out to be. It’s not that it isn’t good at all, but the idea of pumpkin spice in the fall is definitely more exciting than pumpkin spice all on it’s own.

Bella Hertler, a senior at SOCES, is one who enjoys pumpkin spice. “I like that it’s seasonal, I can only get it at a certain time of year and it gets me in the mood for the holiday.” said Bella. Because pumpkin spice is associated with times in our lives when we get to be with family, friends, go out, and dress for sweater weather, it’s so much more appealing and delicious. There is also the fact that it trends at this time of year and who doesn’t want to be a part of the trend?

The hype around pumpkin spice and the happiness that we associate with is what makes it so good and desirable. So keep on getting that venti pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks!