Is pumpkin spice dead?

It’s officially fall. For Midwesterners, the leaves are starting to change color, the air begins to cool. Shorts and sandals are exchanged for flannels and scarves. It’s time to rewatch Gilmore Girls and dream of Thanksgiving. But before we get too ahead of ourselves, is one of the hallmarks of fall, pumpkin spice, dead?

The true history behind fall flavor

If you do your internet research, pumpkin spice originates back to the Spice islands and a time when coffee itself was considered a spice. Fast forward, in the 30s, Baltimore-based brand McCormick released a spice blend called pumpkin pie spice. Then, in the 60s the name was shortened to simply pumpkin spice. So, here’s where coffee comes in. We have to go back to the 80s and 90s. This is when coffeehouse culture shifted from Italian-style simplicity of the familiar espresso to embrace culinary trends and creativity. This push evolved into the latte art, microfoam, and the idea of the signature drink. Then, in 2004, the green big box siren came out with the Pumpkin Spice latte. And decades later, we can now order strawberry matcha, pumpkin spice lattes, grab a green juice, and all sorts of other things like light ice. 

Horchata and the modern taste profile 

What’s upstaging the rich history of pumpkin spice these days? Horchata. “What is horchata” and “horchata drink” Google searches increased by 20% over the past year. Some of the popularity can be attributed to Starbucks Iced Horchata Shaken Espresso and Horchata Frappuccino. But much of horchata’s rise to fame owes itself to Latin American-owned cafes and restaurants. Minneapolis’ La Madre that serves horchata, agave and chocolate bitters espresso martini comes to mind. Or in warmer climates like Dallas, Olmo Market and Hola Cafe and serve up horchata lattes with sabor. These independent restaurants and cafes are bringing strong and distinct flavors into the coffee scene, whether in a cocktail or traditional latte. 

Pumpkin spice, laid to rest, but forever in our hearts

Pumpkin spice is a ritual of choice. It’s a reminder to snuggle up in sweaters, breathe in the crisp, fresh air, and embrace the pleasures that fall brings. However, you choose to celebrate that, whether it’s ordering a pumpkin spice latte or lighting a candle, is completely up to you. For those of us looking for the next trend right and innovative latte flavor, we’ll just have to wait and see. One thing is for sure, no flavor will have quite the chokehold as pumpkin come October.