Why Are Americans Obsessed With Pumpkin Spice? (2024)

There’s cinnamon, there’s nutmeg, and then there’s pumpkin spice. The holy grail of spices! How did one spice gain so much popularity that it formed its own culture? Pumpkin spice, originally known as pumpkin pie spice, was actually created in the 1930s. When it launched, it was flying off the shelves! It’s popularity only grew from there.

You can’t talk about pumpkin spice without the three letters P-S-L coming up, or Pumpkin Spice Latte. The big boom of pumpkin spice truly came in the 1990s with the launch of the PSL. A little coffee shop named Starbucks launched the PSL, hesitantly, and initiated the pumpkin spice craze. The latte became the talk of the town with customers everywhere patiently awaiting the fall season just for their coveted PSL. After its launch, pumpkin-flavored everything started to pop up, further fueling America’s obsession.

So, why are Americans so obsessed with pumpkin spice to begin with? Some think it relates way back to our colony days where pumpkins were one of the only crops the settlers could sustain and so, subconsciously, pumpkin reminds us of our roots. Others believe that the seasonal appeal of the pumpkin-flavor is what creates the allure. Either way, the pumpkin spice craze is here to stay. Our favorite way to celebrate? Mason Dixie Pumpkin Spice Biscuits, of course. Made with real pumpkin and our own custom blend of pumpkin spice, it’ll be sure to put you in the cozy fall spirit.