Pumpkin spice is a popular flavor during the fall season.
Local cafés, grocery stores and restaurants feature pumpkin spice-flavored drinks and treats on their menus. But is pumpkin spice worthy of its popularity, or is it just overrated?
People have a variety of opinions.
“I think some things taste way better than pumpkin spice,” Liberty alumnus Matthew Giordano said. “I think it’s well overdone just because, like, it was a trend for a while and people slightly like it. So, it’s like, let me put it in everything.’”
A 2024 survey by Talker Research suggested that the public is experiencing pumpkin spice fatigue.
Of the 2,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 58% believed there are better fall flavor combinations than pumpkin spice, and 45% reported feeling apathy toward the flavor.
Other fall flavors such as cinnamon (39%), salted caramel (37%) and candy apple (36%) were preferred over pumpkin spice.
However, some do still enjoy and defend the classic flavor.
“Generally, yes, I would say I do like pumpkin spice,” Liberty alumnus Kai Moore said.
Others had stronger opinions about pumpkin spice.
“It’s very overhyped,” senior Nathan Adolf said. “It’s not even a good drink. It’s just because you want to look a certain way. It’s more of an aesthetic.”
Whether pumpkin spice deserves the spotlight remains up for debate. Perhaps it will never completely leave the menus of countless cafés or the shelves of grocery stores — only time will tell.
Either way, those who are indifferent or opposed to pumpkin spice are not alone. Flavors such as maple, salted caramel, pecan, sweet potato, coffee and brown sugar work beautifully. Cinnamon, chai, nutmeg and ginger also do the trick.
If you’re looking for a refreshing, fruity seasonal twist, apple, pear, cranberry and pomegranate offer unique fall flavor profiles.
So, get spicy with it — you never know what the next pumpkin spice could be!
Schaner is a POV reporter for The Liberty Champion.