It is finally September, which means it is the unofficial start of autumn for those of us who wait (suffer) all year long for our favorite cozy season to come again. The sun sets a little bit earlier now, mornings are shrouded in thick fog, ghosts are gearing up for their haunts, candy is taking over store shelves, and of course - everything is being smothered in pumpkin spice.
According to Wikipedia, pumpkin spice consists of a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and sometimes allspice. So, where's the pumpkin? It is these spices that, when combined, bring out the flavor of natural pumpkin in dishes, and the most popular one being pumpkin pie.
Photo by Luísa Schetinger on Unsplash
The Pumpkin Spice latte is to blame for the cultural explosion of pumpkin spice dust all over our heads. The coffee confection was introduced by Starbucks in 2003 in the United States, and has become a worldwide phenomena, although it had a slow start. In the beginning, the pumpkin spice latte was a bit of a cult favorite, but now it is the center of attention in coffeehouses everywhere. Other major coffee chains around the world, such as Costa and Tim Hortons, have also already begun to offer the sweet, sweet fall elixir this season. There is no escape, whether you love it or hate it.
But it's not just coffee being "pumpkin-spiced" (now, even our grammar)! Within recent years, global food companies have begun to infiltrate the combination of classic spices into their products. From cereals, cookies, candies, breads, ice creams, beer, to even soaps and dog food, pumpkin spice has taken over the world, at least in the months following summer's fade away.
Here are some of the craziest pumpkin-spiced foods and drinks!
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Alcohol
Go ahead and mix yourself a drink or grab a beer, because no matter what your go-to is, chances are it has been pumpkin-spiced. Bottoms up!
Spam
This is 100% REAL. Pick up a can, or two, or twenty, and buckle up because it's going to be a long fall season.
Proof! -- www.spam.com/varieties/pumpkin-spice
Twinkies
At least we can rest assured knowing we will still have pumpkin spice when the apocalypse happens.
Milk
This makes sense if you're pouring it in coffee, but why not drink a whole glass of it while you're at it? There are also dairy-free kinds!
Peanut Butter
In case you are missing that little extra something on your morning toast.
Waffles
Or if you want waffles for breakfast instead of toast.
Salsa
There are various companies dishing out their fall versions of salsa. Don't forget your pumpkin spice chips!
Chips
Yeah, there's these too.
Protein Powder
If you're looking to stay healthy among all these autumn sweets, maybe you fancy some PS protein powder in your nutritional shakes?
Tea
If you like tea over coffee, don't you worry because that has been covered.
Hummus
More dip for those chips!
Sausage
Okay, this one is going a bit too far...
What is the craziest pumpkin spice product you have seen? What is your favorite PS food item? Or, do you completely hate the craze?