What is Pumpkin Spice?

The fall season brings about harvests, festivals, and perhaps most importantly—pumpkin spice. The delicious seasoning is used in everything from pies to drinks to cookies. Even breakfast items like waffles, pancakes, and muffins feature the renowned spice. Although it’s enjoyed by nearly everyone who tries it, there is a mystery surrounding the fall-time spice. This post will answer the question, “What is Pumpkin Spice?”

What Is in Pumpkin Spice?

Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves are the spices that makeup pumpkin spice, commonly known as. While some pumpkin spice mixes may omit an ingredient or two, the vast majority have at least two of the aforementioned spices. Pumpkin pie seasoning

Is Pumpkin Spice Made with Real Pumpkin?

Surprisingly, pumpkin spice traditionally doesn’t have any pumpkin in it. Instead, the spice usually contains a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves. Since pumpkin spice is often homemade, many chefs have their own recipes. It’s worth experimenting to find the perfect combination of ingredients that tastes just right. If one spice in the mix is a bit too strong, remove some from the recipe.

Check out this recipe to get started with making your own pumpkin spice. Once you’ve thoroughly mixed the ingredients, be sure to store the seasoning in an air-tight jar to ensure freshness.

Where Did Pumpkin Spice Come From?

Pumpkin spice was originally offered as “Pumpkin Pie Spice” in the 1950s and 60s by brands like McCormick. The seasoning was primarily used as an additive in pies and cake. But it was only a matter of time before it grew in popularity.

Pumpkin spice coffee was introduced to the world in the 1990s, but Starbucks soon topped that with its Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2004. The revolutionary beverage was the result of a 3-month long recipe experiment. The Pumpkin Spice Latte was a smash hit from the start. And although it’s only seasonal, the hot drink has been served over 200 million times at Starbucks and has been imitated at countless other coffee shops. Anytime you see #PSL on social media, you can be assured someone is enjoying a pumpkin spice latte.

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pumpkin Pie Spice Ingredients

• 2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 3 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom (optional)

Instructions

Prepare a small bowl by measuring out all of the ingredients.

Blend the various spices together by whisking in cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.

Put away in a container that won't let air in.

Pumpkin Spice Foods

You may find pumpkin spice in savory foods, drinks, and even breakfast cereal. Pumpkin spice is versatile and can be used in many different dishes. It is most commonly found in powder form. We've compiled some of our favorite pumpkin spice recipes below.

• Pumpkin maple pecan granola
• Ginger cookies
• Soft pumpkin cookies
• Pumpkin spice sugar cookies
• Pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin spice latte
• Pumpkin chai latte
• Pumpkin-flavored coffee
• Pumpkin pie spice muffins, pancakes, and waffles

What is the Future of Pumpkin Spice?

Today you can’t go anywhere during the fall season without coming across pumpkin spice. While it’s a safe bet that the spice is here to stay, there’s no telling what the future holds. We’re guessing that history will repeat itself, and pumpkin spice will be used in new ways that we currently can’t even imagine.

What Can You Substitute for Pumpkin Pie Spice

Here are some alternatives to pumpkin spice if you can't locate it or simply want to try something new this autumn:

Even if it's not pumpkin spice, apple pie spice can nevertheless give your dishes a touch of the autumn season.

You can get the same flavor as pumpkin spice by using a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Considering that cinnamon is the most prominent taste in pumpkin pie spice, you may want to add quite a bit.

Pumpkin Pie Spice vs Apple Pie Spice

The key component that sets apart apple pie spice from pumpkin pie spice is nutmeg. Apple pie spice is a blend of several different spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and even cardamom. The main difference between pumpkin spice and regular spice is the addition of cloves to the mix in the former.