Fall is upon us, and so is everything pumpkin spice. It seems like every fall, we are given more and more pumpkin spice products, but is it too much? If you’re a sane person, it’s a yes. Unfortunately, we live in a world where individuals are into the newest Starbucks drink, the newest donut flavor, or the newest deodorant.

Don’t get me wrong, those little pumpkin muffins are among my favorite things in the world, but why is pumpkin spice so addicting to us?

Turns out, it’s not. This pumpkin spice flavor doesn’t actually contain pumpkin. While products may contain pumpkin, that’s not what pumpkin spice is. According to Forbes.com, pumpkin spice is a blend of “…cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.” So really, pumpkin spice is just a blend of spices. Mix that with a bunch of sugar, a fancy limited edition logo, and a price tag, and you have most fall pumpkin spice products. 

So, why is something we could consume all year round only popular in the fall? This is determined by the vibe that this specific flavor gives off. Fall is the transition between summer and winter; it’s warm enough that you don’t need to wear a winter coat, but cold enough to crave being cozy. 

The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences’ Magazine from Johns Hopkins University tells us that, “Pumpkin spice aromas emerge in the fall in shops and cafes, coinciding with the arrival of colorful leaves, family gatherings, and back-to-school bustle. The association that the smell has with the season in our memories allows it to powerfully evoke the refreshing feelings of fall.”

Now that we have discovered what pumpkin spice is and why it is so popular, are we going overboard with it?

In my opinion, it’s a yes. The flavor itself doesn’t translate across a lot of products for me. Pumpkin spice coffee is still coffee. The donuts just taste like sugar and cinnamon, and why on earth would you want pumpkin spice Oreos? Non-food products are even worse, like cat litter, deodorant, as previously mentioned, and dog treats. Just why?

A couple of products are okay, like those muffins. I know you know what I am talking about. However, I just think companies can step back a little on the pumpkin spice craziness, or it will only get worse from here.