As it turns out there’s a reason why we crave pumpkin spice — and no, it’s not just because it’s delicious.
Whenever fall approaches, the pumpkin spice memes inevitably show up. Fall decorations (aka pumpkin decorations) are seen all around, and the beloved pumpkin spice starts trending.
And like everything that becomes a meme, it stirs both love and hatred whenever it starts popping up on people’s feeds - albeit the hate part is not entirely justified.
Way before it became a thing people rolled their eyes at, pumpkin spice was already a well-known combination in various cultures for millennia!
And that is the first reason why it’s so successful:
Pumpkin spice reminds us of good things.
It brings back childhood memories of long days at grandma’s house eating sweet pumpkin pie. Just that particular smell of pumpkin spice creates a strong connection with your previous memories associating it to happy memories. Ultimately, you enjoy it not just because of the taste, but because of what it means to you: happy memories.
And if you’re someone who loves fall season anyway, the association is even stronger. Just seeing all the pumpkin recipes popping up left, right, and center, fall colors taking over, dry leaves on the driveway…
… And suddenly you can smell that sweet pumpkin spice.
It triggers all the nostalgia gears to make you warm inside.
That’s the second reason — the smell. It creates an immediate association with the fall season and the fond memories that come with. It’s transcendental, nostalgia, warm… all the good stuff. This happens because the association is made with the season itself. Of course, you can enjoy pumpkin spice any time of the year, nothing is stopping you. But that particular smell is always tied to the fall season, which makes it more special to enjoy when the leaves fall.
BUT.
There’s one last reason.
And it’s the least surprising of all, but still a huge part of why we love it:
Pumpkin spice is very, very sweet.
So even if it’s your first being introduced to pumpkin spice (for some reason), its particular sweet smell and taste would inadvertently leave a strong impression on you. Why?
Because your body loves sugary things. Sweet means it will taste good and give you lots of energy!
How to make a classic pumpkin pie spice
After all this talk of pumpkin spice, you must be wondering how to make your own delicious homemade pumpkin pie spice!
Sure, plenty of options are available to purchase on grocery stores, but there’s something special about homemade pumpkin spice. Perhaps this is the recipe that will create those unforgettable memories for your children, and when they’re adults, they will remember your delicious recipe whenever the first days of Fall come along.
And to make things even better, making the perfect homemade pumpkin pie spice will take you up to three minutes.
First, grab these ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves
Then, mix them all together in a bowl. When they’re well mixed, simply store your homemade pumpkin spice in a spice container or mason jar. Done!
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Keep on reading:
10 Heavenly Fall Inspired Cookies You Need to Try
7 Incredibly Delicious Soups to Warm Up This Fall
10 DIY & Crafts to Welcome Fall in the Best Way
13 Reasons Why Fall Is The Best (And They’re All Recipes!)
