Pumpkin Spice – The No.1 Spice of Autumn
A New Symbol of Fall
Autumn is no longer what it used to be. Pears, plums, and grapes are no longer the classic “harbingers of fall.” For today’s urban kids, they’re just neatly shaped fruits with standardized flavors, available since July on supermarket shelves. Since we can’t bring our grandparents’ orchards to the city, we’ve borrowed another way to put autumn on our children’s sensory map: Pumpkin Spice – the number one spice of fall.
What Is Pumpkin Spice?
Literally translated, “Pumpkin Spice” means “spice for pumpkin,” but it’s more than just one spice—it’s a blend of several warm spices, mixed in variable proportions:
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Ginger
- Allspice
- Nutmeg
The pumpkin in the name plays more of an honorary role today, although historically it was essential to the recipe. As early as 1620, American settlers were baking pumpkin-based desserts with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Sometimes, they’d hollow out a large pumpkin, fill it with milk, honey, and spices, and cook it in hot ash.
A Short History of Pumpkin Spice
About 300 years later, after this pumpkin-spice pairing became embedded in American culinary DNA, the term “pumpkin spice cake” appeared in the Washington Post. It described a dense loaf cake containing all five spices, plus bits of pumpkin. Soon after, spice jars labeled “pumpkin pie spice” appeared in stores—eventually shortened to just “pumpkin spice.”
The obsession really took off in the late 1990s, when a candle company launched a scented candle using the mix. Shortly after, Pumpkin Spice coffee and eventually the now-famous Pumpkin Spice Latte were introduced by a major American coffee chain. That sealed its status as North America’s top fall flavor—and eventually made it across the ocean.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice at Home
Craving the flavor? Here’s how to make your own blend at home. First rule: always grind the spices yourself—don’t use pre-ground spice packets. The aroma will be far superior when freshly grated or ground. Visit a spice shop or specialty store for best results.
Classic Pumpkin Spice Mix:
- 3 tablespoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon cloves
Only grind what you need and keep the rest of the spices whole to preserve their aroma longer.
How to Store It
Mix the powdered spices thoroughly and store them in an airtight container. They’ll last for up to six months at room temperature—basically, through fall and winter. Though let’s be honest, you’ll probably use them all up much sooner in all the delicious things you can flavor with them.
How to Use Pumpkin Spice
This spice blend is incredible not only in pumpkin pie, but also in apple desserts, pound cakes, muffins, cookies, and brownies. Even whipped cream and cheesecake can be infused with its warming flavor. Tiramisu, pancakes, oatmeal, hot chocolate, yogurt, and ricotta also take on new depth when touched by Pumpkin Spice.
Savory Applications
Although it’s a dessert superstar, Pumpkin Spice isn’t sweet on its own—so it can also be used in savory dishes. Sprinkle a bit on roasted root vegetables or stir it into creamy pumpkin or vegetable soups. Want to get bold? Try mixing some into popcorn with melted butter and a pinch of salt. You never know—your dream snack might be just a sprinkle away.