Pumpkin Spice: From Meals to Pets, the Flavor Takeover!

McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice was brought to market in 1934 to make home cooking of pumpkin pie easier.Photo byMcCormick

The pumpkin spice craze is in full swing, and it seems like there’s no escape from its flavorful grip. From breakfast to dessert, and even for your pets, pumpkin spice has taken over.

You can now find pumpkin spice flavors in nearly every meal. Start your day with pumpkin spice pancakes or cereal, enjoy pumpkin soup for lunch, and wrap up your day with pumpkin pasta for dinner.

This trend has even reached restaurants, where chefs are getting inventive with offerings like pumpkin vinaigrette, pumpkin curry, and pumpkin ravioli. The pumpkin spice latte, of course, remains a popular choice, but the flavor is also making its way into espresso martinis and boba drinks.

Pets aren’t left out either. Chewy.com and Petco are both offering pumpkin-flavored treats and supplements for cats and dogs. Petco has also introduced pumpkin-themed plush toys and apparel for pets, including 4-foot tall and 9-inch tall plush toys priced at $49.99 and $7.99, respectively.

The pumpkin spice phenomenon isn’t new, but its prominence has grown significantly. McCormick, a leading spice company, noted the rise of pumpkin spice in its 2010 Flavor Forecast.

McCormick’s Pumpkin Pie Spice has been around since 1934, making it easier for home cooks to make pumpkin pies and contributing to the spice’s deep association with fall.

For coffee lovers, pumpkin spice has extended beyond lattes. Dunkin' and Starbucks offer pumpkin spice coffee that you can brew at home.

Chobani has introduced a range of pumpkin spice products, including a Pumpkin Spice Barista Oatmilk for flavoring coffee and a Pumpkin Spice Greek Yogurt Drink.

La Colombe, recently acquired by Chobani, has launched a Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte and a Pumpkin Pie Chai Draft Latte.

Daily Harvest has a Pumpkin Spice Latte mix made with organic kabocha squash, while Eight O’Clock Coffee offers Pumpkin Spice Coffee with notes of warm spices and sweet cream. Planet Oat is also releasing a Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer.

If pumpkin spice pancakes are your breakfast favorite, Denny’s and IHOP are gearing up for the season. Denny’s will offer Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes starting August 21, with options for takeout or delivery.

IHOP will feature seasonal pumpkin spice menu items beginning September 1, including Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake Pancakes and Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam Cold Brew.

Whether you’re indulging in pumpkin-flavored treats or dressing up your pet in pumpkin gear, this spice’s reach continues to grow, cementing its place as a fall staple.

Beginning Sept. 1, IHOP will have Pumpkin Spice Pancakes and Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam Cold Brew (shown here), and Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake.Photo byIHOP