Pumpkin spice is today thought of as a white girl trend. But the history of pumpkin spice as a flavor and scent is deeply tied to North American traditions, especially fall and Thanksgiving, though its current popularity is a relatively modern phenomenon.
Here’s a detailed look at its history:
Early American Origins
• Native Americans and Pumpkins: Native Americans had been cultivating pumpkins for centuries before European settlers arrived. They ate pumpkins as a staple food and used them in a variety of ways. Early colonists adopted this practice and began incorporating pumpkin into their diets.
• Colonial Times: The idea of adding spices to pumpkin dishes dates back to early American settlers, who would cook pumpkins in stews and pies. These dishes were often seasoned with spices brought over from Europe, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger—the essential components of what we now call pumpkin spice.
• First Pumpkin Pie: By the 17th century, settlers were baking pumpkin pies as part of their autumn harvest meals, particularly for Thanksgiving. These pies were flavored with the same warming spices we associate with pumpkin spice today, though the term “pumpkin spice” didn’t exist at that time.
Development of the Modern Flavor Profile
• Early 20th Century: In the early 1900s, spice blends began to be mass-produced and marketed for convenience. Recipes for pumpkin pie, especially those published in cookbooks and on the back of canned pumpkin labels, often included a mix of the familiar warming spices.
• 1934: McCormick’s “Pumpkin Pie Spice”: The first official “pumpkin pie spice” blend was introduced by McCormick, a company that is still a major producer of spices. This blend simplified the process for making pumpkin pies by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice into one product, making it easier for home cooks to replicate the beloved flavor.
The Modern Pumpkin Spice Phenomenon
• Early 2000s: The modern pumpkin spice craze is often credited to Starbucks, which in 2003 introduced the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL). It became an instant hit, evoking feelings of fall, warmth, and nostalgia. The drink’s flavor, which didn’t always contain actual pumpkin, included a blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This sparked a massive trend and established pumpkin spice as an autumn staple.
• 2010s: Pumpkin Spice Everywhere: Following the success of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, pumpkin spice began to appear in a wide range of products, including candles, air fresheners, cereals, baked goods, and even beauty products like lotions and body washes. The scent and flavor became a cultural symbol of the fall season.
Cultural Significance
Pumpkin spice has come to represent much more than just a blend of flavors or a scent. It has become synonymous with the fall season in North America, evoking feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. It taps into the traditions of Thanksgiving, the harvest season, and the cozy atmosphere that autumn brings. The blend of spices triggers a sensory connection to family gatherings, holidays, and changing weather.
Resurgence of Pumpkin as an Ingredient
• Recent Years: In the last decade, there has been a shift towards incorporating actual pumpkin into products, especially in food and skincare. The appeal of the pumpkin spice flavor, alongside the rise of clean eating trends, has led to pumpkin puree being used in smoothies, baked goods, and even skincare products for its natural benefits.
In both its flavor and scent forms, pumpkin spice has become a cultural phenomenon, signaling the arrival of autumn and playing into deep-rooted American traditions. From its humble origins in pumpkin pies to its global domination in lattes and candles, the pumpkin spice trend continues to evolve while retaining its nostalgic connection to harvest time.
Today we use it as a scent for our tallow lip balm, to help keep your skin and lips soft, smooth, nourished & healed!
