Fall is my favorite time of the year. Summer transitions into cooler weather, hearty comfort foods become the norm and I break out a second comforter at night. But it also signals a not-so-pleasant time of year — pumpkin season.
It didn’t bother me so much in years past. I enjoyed having a slice of pumpkin pie after a Thanksgiving meal but lately pumpkin has infiltrated every aspect of grocery stores and coffee shops. People may notice the rolling of the eyes and slight lurching sound from my throat whenever they bring up pumpkin-anything. I wanted to know where my sudden distaste for pumpkin came from, so I delved a bit farther and discovered that my hatred, yes hatred, of all things pumpkin comes from the holidays “arriving” sooner every year. And pumpkin products mark the start of that period.
— Travon Free (@Travon) September 24, 2014
The first Instagram post I saw of someone’s pumpkin latte directly correlates to seeing Christmas trees displayed at big box stores. IN SEPTEMBER. And as much as I love Trader Joe’s, just how many pumpkin products can they put out in one season? Frankly, it’s just too much.
I’m obviously not the first person to rant about pumpkin spice — I think John Oliver says it best in his recent rant when he points out the pumpkin spice lattes are “coffee that tastes like a candle.”
Well said Mr. Oliver. But when Thanksgiving rolls around, please pass the pumpkin pie.
My Burning Kitchen 
Trader Joe’s really outdid themselves this year with pumpkin products – it’s even spilled into non-edibles, like their body butter (of which I bought 3 when I found it, but I think it smells more like apple cider than pumpkin spices). I used to be a heavy pumpkin-spice-eye-roller, but I have to admit I’ve been lured by a few things. Usually if they end up tasting more pumpkin-y rather than just pumpkin-spice-y. Your eyes would have rolled themselves out of your head, though, if you witnessed my last trip to Trader Joe’s!
Haha! I appreciate your candor about the amount of pumpkin products you bought on your last trip to TJ’s. Admittedly, if it has anything to do with salted caramel then I’m all over it. One of my favorite fall things to eat though are apples. I’m loving the somewhat expanded apple selection at the grocery store.
Sprouts usually has an apple extravaganza with lots of different varieties of apples. I’m looking forward to stocking up for apple pies and tarte tatins. Have you tried the Trader Joe salted caramel gelato? I bet it would go really well with apple pie!
Just got the salted caramel gelato and it’s divine! Thanks for the heads up!
OMG, thank you for this post! I am NOT a pumpkin fan and think it’s ridiculous that there are so many pumpkin flavored items out there. Some of it seems totally unwarranted. I mean, really, does your dog NEED pumpkin flavored treats? I actually saw that product at Target.
I just had to get it off my chest and John Oliver beat me to it. I don’t know about pumpkin-flavored treats for dogs, but I give Doctor real pumpkin when his poop is loose. Yup, I said it. Pumpkin binds up poops in dogs.
I couldn’t, agree with you more, Darlene. Pumpkin spice becomes more and more annoying every. single. year. -_-
Not to mention the flagship pumpkin spice drink (the Starbucks latte) is so overly sweetened that it’s basically undrinkable.
I say next year we plan ahead and start a petition in the summertime to ban all things pumpkin spice until Thanksgiving day.
Thanks! 🙂 It was too late this year but I wanted to create special badges with pumpkins crossed out so other people who felt the same way could wear it.
Save one badge for me! Pumpkin haters unite!
You got it!
I had my first PSL in August -_- At least it was iced!
Haha! If I recall correctly, August was a really hot month! I wonder how soon they ship out PSL mixes or if they were holdouts from the previous season.
Haha, I love the pumpkin goodness but I do admit that sometimes it IS overwhelming. I don’t drink any pumpkin spiced lattes though (cold brew, please) but I do love the rest of it. It did come out a bit too early this year though and I hate seeing all the Christmas stuff set out with the Halloween stuff. Why can’t the holidays have their own time period again? Christmas has to butt into everything, geez.
OMGGGGGEEE! Best post ever. I needed that laugh. Miss Burning Kitchen- YOU are on fire.