Story and Graphics by Hal Lueking

Around this time of year, every year, there’s one thing that gets people all excited and in the mood for fall. No, it’s not fluffy scarves, Ugg boots, or flannels; it’s a little something called pumpkin spice. This fall phenomenon comes in the forms of candles, baked goods, air fresheners, and even drinks. The sweet and spice-full scent or flavor of pumpkin is sure to fill up your senses this fall, so why not learn of its origins, ways to consume it, and how to incorporate it into your fall routine?

So where did pumpkin spice originate from?

The earliest traces of pumpkin spice date back to 1675 where it was originally in a British recipe called ‘pumpion pye.’ This ingredient was a blend of spices, including clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper, giving it that spicy yet sweet taste. This British blend of spices was then added alongside the pumpkin crop of the Americas to get pumpkin pie spice. The pumpkin crop was mainly grown by the Indigenous peoples of the United States who incorporated pumpkin into many of their recipes. Today the blend of these two has created a cult following is extremely popular.
Fast forward to today, the vast popularization of pumpkin spice can be directly attributed to the release of the infamous “PSL,” or pumpkin spice latte. This iconic drink debut in 2003 via the coffee company Starbucks. Starbucks has made cafe culture a global phenomenon, especially during pumpkin spice season. Originally starting as a regional drink only available in Canada and the U.S., the PSL is now globally available and has sold over 424 million in the U.S. alone since its initial launch. Since then, many other companies have picked up on the trend, offering their own forms of pumpkin spice lattes, cold brews, and teas; even bakery items are sold with pumpkin spice in them. 

Ways to Spice Up your Life!

Since pumpkin spice has become such a vital item to have for fall, there are many different ways to consume it. There are candles that you can purchase from Target, Walmart, Bath and Body Works, and other stores in order to fill your living space up with the scent. There are also pumpkin spice syrups that you can add to your daily coffee, cold brew, or espresso to get in the true spirit of fall if you do not want to spend money every day at Starbucks.. There are also teas, like chai tea, that incorporate pumpkin spice into their blends if you are not an avid coffee drinker. The moral of the story is that if there’s a product out there that you love already, there’s more than likely a pumpkin spice iteration out there already on the shelves.

• Pumpkin Spice Latte Candle - Bath & Body Works - $25

• Premium Pumpkin Spice Syrup - Amoretti - $15.99

• Tazo Chai Pumpkin Spice Tea - Target - $3.29

The Breakdown: A PSR - Pumpkin Spice Recipe

Personally, I prefer to consume pumpkin spice via caffeinated beverages. Since I’ve been a barista for 3 years, you could say I’ve gotten pretty good at making coffee and espresso drinks with the iconic pumpkin spice. But at home, I don’t have a fancy espresso machine to froth my milk or get espresso shots from, so I will be teaching you how to make pumpkin spice coffee using your coffee machine of choice. Here are the steps:

1. Grab all the supplies you may need if you don’t have them already

• I recommend getting your favorite coffee roast, pumpkin spice syrup, a milk frother, and whipped cream if you’re fancy

  2. Next, you’re going to pour or pump 2-3 pumps of the pumpkin spice syrup into the cup before you brew your coffee. This allows for the syrup to melt into the coffee a bit better, for a more even taste, and you can add more syrup if you like it sweeter.

  3. Then, you’re going to start brewing your coffee, so get to it!

  4. While your coffee is brewing, you can now froth your milk with the frother

• By frothing your milk, (I prefer oat milk) it allows you to achieve a latte consistency from home; of course, don’t froth it if you want to drink your pumpkin spice coffee over ice.

  5. Once your coffee is done brewing, give it a stir, and pour in your frothed milk

• If you are going for the iced version, add your ice, then milk, then stir

  6. Now that you have your finished pumpkin spice brew for the day, feel free to add whipped cream, like a cherry on top of your cup of fall heaven!

Wrapping Up

Pumpkin spice isn’t always for everyone, but if it’s for you, know that you can enjoy it from your very own home. It’s the perfect time of year to try out that recipe right as the leaves are about to change. If you end up enjoying it, there are various different ways you can consume it as you now know, so don’t be afraid to try it in different forms! And, if you’ve never tried it, you might fall in love with your very first sip, smell, or bite.