By combining the recognizable pumpkin spice flavor with sugar, you train your brain and body to remember how delicious the combination is -- and as soon as you smell or even imagine pumpkin spice, your body will have an anticipatory response and crave it, Franssen said.
For that reason, "the pumpkin spice latte is actually, scientifically, kind of addictive," she said. "Not quite the same neural mechanisms as drugs of abuse, but certainly the more you consume, the more you reinforce the behavior and want to consume more."
— NBC Montana talks to psychology professor Catherine Franssen about pumpkin spice. Read more at What is 'pumpkin spice' anyway? And why do we crave it?
Pumpkin Spice scents are everywhere at the moment so I guess its a trendy smell?
Its not a taste combo that triggers memories for most people in Sweden, but I felt forced to buy a few scented candles at a home party many years ago. Sweet and comfy-smelling, though.
Starbucks made it a “thing” here.
Despite its ubiquity, I have never tasted a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
I just prefer pumpkin pie, I have to make some in October, between raking leaves.
Not looking forward to wearing more clothes.
Make the clock stop !
LOLOLOL
I haven’t had one either. But I guess I do eat lots of things with those spices.
IMO, pumpkin, like other squashes, are very nice to look at, but range from bland to unpleasant in terms of flavor. I love the spices, though.
“By combining the recognizable pumpkin spice flavor with sugar, you train your brain and body to remember how delicious the combination is” <– What? That doesn't explain the ubiquity of PSL/PS. These principles apply to ANY set of flavors married with sugar.
Whatever. I never really loved PSL until I moved to France, where it's not a ubiquitous thing. Then suddenly I missed it desperately, made my boyfriend mule me a little jar of PS, and made PSL at home all winter. I think it's more a reminder of autumn at home for me now than anything else. Yum.
Well, that answers a question I’ve had for a long time: ” What is ‘pumpkin spice’ anyway?” I suspected it was just the spices used in a pumpkin pie and had nothing to do with the squash itself. (Speaking of which, is the Tilda Swinton ‘Like This’ “pumpkin accord” supposed to smell like a pie or a pumpkin?) Now I know that’s the case.
I am not one who craves pumpkin spice, or pumpkin spice lattes or any variety of that combination of flavors or smells so I’ve never really understood the trend. As to the Starbucks PSL, I rarely drink anything flavored there and when I do I always ask for 1/4 of the syrup and sugar. I made the mistake once of not doing so and got a pounding sugar headache after just one sip. And I really hate that they bring them back in late August/early September!
I love Pumpkin Spice Latte although I have not had one yet this season eventhough it is limited edition.