The colorful leaves glide through the air as if being pulled by invisible strings, until they finally land on the ground, causing it to shine in various colors. On the streets, you can see more and more people wearing flannel shirts, wrapping scarves around their necks, or throwing on a jacket over their sweater. Autumn has arrived, and we all look forward to the treats and beauties it brings with it.
The Season of the Pumpkin Spice - Also Known as Autumn
In addition to its colorful hues and diverse delicacies, autumn also brings something very special – Pumpkin Spice. In the USA, the arrival of Pumpkin Spice products in supermarkets even signals the beginning of fall. Now, the shelves are filled with the most diverse products, and they all have one thing in common, from cereal, hand soaps, tea varieties to lip balm, they all seem to contain Pumpkin Spice. Pumpkins adorned with a variety of spices decorate the packaging - how can you not be immediately in an autumnal mood?
One special product is causing quite a global sensation in this regard. The Pumpkin Spice Latte. When Starbucks reintroduces this autumnal specialty to its menu at the end of August, one thing is certain, autumn is around the corner. With the sale of Pumpkin Spice Latte (abbreviated as PSL), it seems as if no one can wait until the first leaves fall from the trees and the temperatures continue to drop towards zero.
So, what's the big secret behind Pumpkin Spice and how much pumpkin and spice is actually in it?
Pumpkin Spice Without Pumpkin?
One secret we'll reveal right from the start: Pumpkin Spice does not contain pumpkin, nor does it necessarily have to be paired with pumpkin dishes! As you probably already know, pumpkin tastes earthy, slightly sweet with a subtle savory note. The popular spice doesn't fit this profile at all. When we think of Pumpkin Spice, we immediately envision the taste of pumpkin pie that we love so much.
How much real spices are actually included in the beloved PSL is rather questionable. However, true Pumpkin Spice fans need not worry, because American Heritage's Pumpkin Pie Spice delivers on its promise. Our Pumpkin Pie Spice consists of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and pepper, making it ideal for a Pumpkin Spice Latte as well.
For any pumpkin enthusiast looking to make their PSL even more autumnal, we recommend trying the Pumpkin Spice Syrup from Blackberry Patch, or the Pumpkin Pie Syrup from Sonoma Syrup, both of which complement any PSL splendidly. Adding Pumpkin Syrup to the Pumpkin Spice Latte along with Pumpkin Spice truly lets you fully enjoy the fall season.
Pumpkin Spice can be used in any recipe where it's either mentioned or in any dish you want to add something special to. It's particularly suitable for recipes that already include cinnamon - even if they're savory, like a pumpkin soup.
When baking with Pumpkin Spice, all doors are wide open. Whether it's Pumpkin Spice cake, Pumpkin Spice muffins, cookies, waffles, cereal, bread, or even donuts, there's no sweet recipe that wouldn't benefit from a touch of Pumpkin Spice.
For those who want to rediscover the wonderful aromas that arise while baking and cooking throughout their homes, they'll adore the scents from Country Candle and Kringle Candle.
➡️ Pumpkin Cheesecake scented candle by Kringle Candle
➡️ Pumpkin Waffle Cone scented candle by Country Candle
➡️ Pumpkin Peppercorn scented candle by Kringle Candle
➡️ Sugar Pumpkins scented candle by Kringle Candle
➡️ Pumpkin French Toast scented candle by Country Candle
➡️ Gourdgeous scented candle by Kringle Candle
A Great Love
We all love Pumpkin Spice, and even those who don't love it can't imagine autumn without it.
But what is it that makes the taste and aroma of Pumpkin Spice evoke thoughts of fall with all its beautiful aspects?
One can explain this phenomenon by noting that the taste and scent of Pumpkin Spice evoke certain memories within us. For example, when we smell a dish like a warm Pumpkin Pie, we associate this fragrance with one or more experiences. The Pumpkin Pie might remind us of a visit to the pumpkin patch, or the day we first tasted a piece of this delicious pie.
This is because alongside our sense of smell, the limbic system resides, responsible for processing experiences, forming memories, and emotionally connecting events.
So, scents are directly transmitted to the brain, where these aromas are rapidly linked with emotions. Through these emotions, we can recall experiences that may have occurred some time ago.
But even if one doesn't have distinct memories associated with the scent of Pumpkin Spice, we still associate pumpkins with the autumn season. Whether it's pumpkin decorations, carved pumpkins for Halloween, or pumpkin dishes, it doesn't matter to anyone.
Want More?
As we already know, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is an absolute classic when it comes to drinks with Pumpkin Spice. However, it's not the only drink that transforms into a masterpiece with this spice blend.
The Pumpkin Spice Martini is indeed a must-have at any autumnal party!
For the Pumpkin Pie Martini, you'll need:
- A pack of butter cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Syrup
- Pumpkin puree or Pumpkin Pie Mix
- Baileys
- Vodka, vanilla or plain
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Cream
First, prepare the Martini glasses by coating them with caramel sauce and butter cookie crumbs. If we're making a Pumpkin Spice Martini, it should at least include all the classic Pumpkin Pie ingredients, including the crust. Butter cookies are perfect for the flaky, buttery, crust-like flavor we want.
To do this, take a few cookies, place them in a bag, and crush them using a rolling pin or your hands, then spread them on a flat plate.
Next, grab your store-bought or homemade caramel sauce and pour enough onto a new plate to cover the bottom.
Now, gently dip the glass into the caramel sauce and then immediately into the crushed cookies—just make sure to cover the entire rim.
Of course, this step is optional, but it's quick and enhances the cocktail's Pumpkin Pie flavor.
Now, let's move on to our Martini!
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, and add two tablespoons of pumpkin puree, 60ml Baileys, 120ml vodka (vanilla vodka works well here), and a pinch of Pumpkin Spice. Adjust the ingredients to taste. Instead of pumpkin puree and Pumpkin Spice, we recommend using our Pumpkin Pie Mix to simplify our recipe a bit.
Shake well for 20 seconds, then strain into a prepared glass. To garnish our cocktail, a dollop of whipped cream is essential—use a spoon to spread it into a smooth layer and sprinkle a little extra Pumpkin Spice on top.
And voila, your Pumpkin Spice Martini is ready!
Whether you're a true fan of Pumpkin Spice or not is still a personal choice. However, the spice is synonymous with autumn, because let's be honest, we can't really imagine this season without it.
So let's together enjoy autumn with all its colorful hues and the abundance of delicious treats it brings.
