Support Your Local Artists on National Pumpkin Spice Day: + The History of Pumpkin Spice
- The Artists Hand
- Sep 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 13
National Pumpkin Spice Day is October 1st!
Celebrate with Art and Coffee!
Purchase artwork in the gallery of $25 or more to support your local artists in the region and receive two small pumpkin spice lattes.
What's the deal with Pumpkin Spice? Why is it so nostalgic, heartwarming, and seemingly overly popularized? There's a fascinating reason behind the fabulous -ization of this drink, and it reflects our human history.
The Allure of Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin spice has become a seasonal staple. It’s more than just a flavor; it’s a feeling. When the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, we crave that warm, cozy taste. But why? The answer lies in history and tradition.
About the Spice
Key spices in "Pumpkin Spice" date back 35,000 years in Southeast Asia. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves were prized possessions that fueled the spice trade. This trade was a significant part of colonialism and some of the darker chapters in history, such as enslavement.
In the 1300s, when tariffs for these spices were at their highest, one pound of nutmeg cost seven fattened oxen. Can you believe that? It was worth more than gold! For Europeans, these spices symbolized comfort and celebration during festive seasons like Christmas and the Winter Solstice. Today, we still season our dishes with them during this time of year, even if they aren’t as costly.
These spices have mood-boosting qualities and anti-inflammatory properties, making them beneficial for the mind and body during the colder months.
The use of these spices continued in European traditions in the Americas. In the 1930s, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves were officially combined into one blend by Thompson and Taylor, then McCormick. This made the blend more affordable and accessible to everyone.
About the Pumpkin
Pumpkins have been cultivated for thousands of years in the Americas. They originated in Mexico, with archaeological evidence of their importance dating back to 8000 BC. Pumpkins were staples in the diets of many Native Peoples and held significant cultural value, often appearing on altars during autumnal traditions like Dia de Los Muertos, honoring the dead and ancestors.
The English word "pumpkin" comes from the Wopanaak peoples of what is now Massachusetts. The word 'puhpukun' literally means "grows forth round." The Greek word "peopon" is similar, but not as closely related to the native languages of those who first knew pumpkins.
The blending of languages and cultural practices continued in America. The first colonial recipe for pumpkin appeared in John Josselyn's "New England Rarities Discovered," from the early 1670s. It was a dish of mashed squash with spices. The pumpkin pie we know today didn’t gain popularity until the early 1800s.
The tradition of carving pumpkins originates from Irish customs of carving root vegetables like turnips to ward off evil spirits. In the 1800s, Irish immigrants brought this tradition to America, adapting it to pumpkins, which were easier to carve than turnips.
In 2003, Starbucks released the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but our love for these flavors goes back much further.
Join the Celebration!
Purchase artwork in the gallery of $25 or more to support your local artists in the region and receive two small pumpkin spice lattes as we begin celebrating the most festive time of year.
Discover More
Want to dive deeper into the world of pumpkins and spices? Check out these fascinating reads:
Let’s embrace the spirit of the season together! Grab your favorite pumpkin spice latte and explore the local art scene. Who knows? You might find a piece that speaks to you!