'Pumpkin spice and everything nice!': An inviting pile of leaves for witty autumn girls and boys ready to jump into some fall fun

Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor

Oct 13, 2026 8:30 AM EDT

Has pumpkin spice gone too far?

In summer, people love margaritas; in the winter, people love a nice, cozy hot cup of tea; and in autumn, people are completely bonkers for pumpkin spice. Like, out-of-their-minds crazy. The pumpkin spice fandom is absolutely insane, but have they gone too far? It started with pumpkin pie, then pumpkin spice latte, and now, the second fall hits, everything has a version of itself that is pumpkin-spiced. It's a lifestyle for the fall girlies at this point. Every single coffee shop has a pumpkin spice latte special. Everything in the grocery store, from Oreos to milk, has a pumpkin spice version. There are even fashion lines advertising their goods as pumpkin-spiced. It's absolutely insane!

That being said… I friggin' LOVE pumpkin spice. Holy moly, I am part of the fanatics in the fandom. Sorry, not sorry; it's just so good! I swear I'm not a basic white girl who's never left her hometown. I've always loved pumpkin-flavored foods and beverages. For me, it's not just a fall time thing. However, I do especially love fall because there are so many more pumpkin-flavored options! Still, I look around and whisper my order when I'm getting a PSL from the local coffee cafe.

I wonder, though, is it even actually pumpkin?…

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via innepiggy
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via @stanzipotenze
If you are a pumpkin spice lover, then you probably already know the devastating news: there usually isn't any actual pumpkin in pumpkin spice. Pumpkin pie isn't even actually pumpkin most of the time! It's sweet potatoes. A pumpkin spice beverage is usually just cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and Allspice. Sometimes, very rarely, there will be a recipe that includes some pumpkin puree, but that addictive taste is just a blend of spices. There is even a spice you can buy already pre-mixed in it's own little shaker called “pumpkin spice” that is just those spices ready to go for your “pumpkin" spicing needs.
It might be a little disappointing knowing you're not actually consuming the festive produce of a pumpkin during spooky season, but does it really matter? It's all about how you feel it in your heart. Is your heart pumpkin spiced?
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via _operacion__
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via kat_m_pagan
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via sunnymorals
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via thephantasmicprince
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via poorlymadecatmemes
There is a whole history when it comes to pumpkin spice. I mean, you have heard of the spice trade, right? It was HUGE back in the day. Caused many wars, but we won't get into that part of it all… So how did it end up being called “pumpkin spice” when there isn't actually any pumpkin in it? Well, the spices used are commonly used during the season when gourds are being harvested. This also happened to be around the holiday season, like Thanksgiving and Christmas. So many sweets were made with gourds and then spiced with what we now call “pumpkin spice” flavors. It was most commonly used in a gourd pie that nobody liked to call “gourd pie,” so it became pumpkin pie. It eventually stopped being made with gourds altogether and was made with sweet potato, but this isn't a pie's history.
Eventually, the spice combo became associated with pumpkin, and the name started to stick. It was solidified once the advertising agencies in the corporate world got their greedy little hands on the term, and now it is a common household spice combo known as pumpkin (even though, again, there is usually no real pumpkin in it).
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via the_political_compass
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via memesupreme01
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via @E_red93289
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via slutsforfall
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via wholesomeconnection
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via honeyythechi
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via dailyitalians
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via angelsgotjokes
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via beautyandmockery
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via therealpsl
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via ahsfxmemes
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via the_general_steve_nelson
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via primalkitchenfoods
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via _that_meme_girl_
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via getfussy
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via getfussy
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via getfussy
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via tasteofhome
As I said, I am a fool for pumpkin spiced anything. I always have been. But now, I get to also enjoy all the memes about this craze! And, you know what? I like them too! Now, I'm going to LOL at them while sipping on my PSL and not have a care in the world! To be cringe is to be free, right? Happy spooky pumpkin spice season!
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via katerina.elshaug
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via therealpsl
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via diegoprinceco