I was surprised to learn that "pumpkin spice" has no pumpkin in it. They just call it pumpkin spice because it's the same spices they use to make pumpkin pie.
Yeah it's like "chicken fried." Which doesn't mean a chicken is involved at all, and can even be vegan if you do it to potatoes.
I worked at a cafe that made a pumpkin spice latte and it was a spice/sugar paste with real pumpkin in it, it was exceptionally good
Years ago I remember reading an Atlantic article about a company in New Jersey with a lab where they make artificial flavors and aromas that seem deceptively read. It was interesting to get a peek about how such stuff as sour cream potatoes is created.
Ninja edit
I found the article and I laughted. I entirely forgot the article starts and features none other than Starbucks pumpkin-spice aroma/flavoring.
The Company That Tested Pumpkin-Spice Foie-Gras Mashed Potatoes
Late in August—early for fall, I thought—I stood dutifully in line at Starbucks with a friend as she awaited her first pumpkin-spice latte of the season. Once she had it, she offered me a sip. The drink didn't remind me very much of pumpkins. So what was it? Nothing homey or autumnal here: just lactones, ketones, cyclotenes, vanillin, and pyrazines.
[...]
The New Jersey-based Flavor and Fragrance Specialties, Inc., is one such manufacturer. The company produces many different flavorings for all sorts of companies, many of which prefer confidentiality. Flavor and Fragrance Specialties makes pumpkin-spice essences that can be tailored to soaps, candles, perfumes, cakes, butters, and pasta, among other products. This year, the company tested out pumpkin-spice foie-gras mashed potatoes.
Howard Schultz requires recordings of the events so he can watch Pumpkin Snuff Films at his leisure.
Ok this is the most creative racist joke I've ever seen
It took me years to get in on pumpkin spice because I fell for the pressure to not be like the other girls because some dudes made this whole stereotype about how it's a dumb woman drink. Also I was mad it made everyone skip apple season. lol
But it's so good I get them all the time now. Especially when it's still warm out I like the iced lattes and fraps a lot. :meow-coffee:
