Does it taste like pumpkin or spice?

Brooklyn Adams
Editor-in-Chief

Pumpkin spice and everything nice! Originating more than a thousand years ago, pumpkin spices have become a seasonal flavoring that has been introduced into drinks, desserts, and foods. 

What we call pumpkin spice is an American spice mix that is generally a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. Pumpkin spice is used in pie, bread, drinks and many more pumpkin flavored foods. Pumpkin spice isn’t the only flavoring that is added into food and drinks, there is also pumpkin canned or syrups for drinks.

Now not everyone is a fan of pumpkin flavoring but, others love it. Maybe pumpkin is an acquired taste, or maybe it’s a feel good fall flavor. But the real question is do we love pumpkin as itself or just the spice?

“I do not believe that pumpkin spice tastes like an actual pumpkin, I only like pumpkin rolls. I’ve never actually tasted pumpkin pie because it looks slimy,” Vice Principal Sarah Dorn said. 

What we call pumpkin puree is nothing more than a cooked pureed pumpkin, but what we call pumpkin spice is the mix that is added to the puree to make a pumpkin pie.

“It’s just not all that, my mom makes these pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting and they’re the only pumpkin thing I have actually liked,” math teacher Audrey Stroh said. 

Maybe the pumpkin itself is an acquired taste compared to pumpkin spice which is made up of spices that are frequently used in baked goods. Others believe that pumpkin spice and flavorings doesn’t actually taste like pumpkin.

“I don’t think it tastes like actual pumpkin, I like actual pumpkins but not things pumpkin flavored,” counselor Malcolm Simonoff said. Now not everyone dislikes pumpkin! The holiday tradition that ends the night on Thanksgiving, Pumpkin Pie, who doesn’t want a slice? 

“I love pumpkin pie and those Reese’s shaped pumpkins,” math teacher Kayla Grahn said. Included in pumpkin pie is puree and spice all in one to make a delicious pumpkin pie to share together. 

Pumpkin pie isn’t the only treat that contains real pumpkin puree, many coffee shops add real pumpkin into pumpkin flavored drinks during the holiday season. This allows for the natural flavor of pumpkin to be tasted in the drink. 

 Although fall and pumpkin pie, desserts, and foods generally come to an end after Thanksgiving, it’s not over yet! Pumpkin isn’t the only thing to look forward to this holiday season as Christmas is right around the corner, which means peppermint bark, mochas, and cookies!