Don't You Think This Pumpkin Spice Thing Has Done Got Out Of Hand?

Every November, a certain sweet spice rears its head to much fanfare across the USA.  It's return every year creates excitement amongst its biggest fans, and also many jeers from its detractors.  Pumpkin Spice has become a pop culture event that draws all kinds of emotions.  Starbucks created this phenomenon, and now it has blown up to a level that stifles most of the world.  So.......what is all the hype all about?

Pumpkin spice contains ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice.  That's right, no pumpkin.  It is actually the spice that goes into pumpkin pie, which is my favorite of all.  Pumpkin spice's popularity began when the national coffeehouse chain Starbucks released a seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  It's demand for it exploded as if it were the Tickle Me Elmo Doll that was flying off shelves in stores 22 years ago.  For the last 7 years, pumpkin spice has become a yearly tradition to millions.  

In the now, pumpkin spice has crossed over into other edible items such as:  cereal, oatmeal, coffee creamer, oreo cookies, syrup, ice cream dippin' dots, candy, pet food, twinkies, tea, jello shots, pop tarts, energy bars, peanut butter, marshmallows, pancakes, pretzels, popcorn, almonds, and granola.  These items just came out this year.  I feel that pumpkin spice is getting over-exposed.  Lattes I can understand, but do I really need pumpkin spice in an energy bar? Thankfully there are no pumpkin spice energy drinks.  This over-exposure has brought on quite a bit of haters to the popular spice.  To paraphrase Waylon Jennings.....Don't you think this pumpkin spice thing has done got out of hand?

Yes it has.  I don't hate pumpkin spice, but I don't need it in everything at the supermarket.  Why do I need Pumpkin Spice Frosted Flakes?  I don't.  It's great in a beverage, but what is the sense of putting the spice in junk food?  It's a cash grab.  It is cheapening the value of how good pumpkin spice is.  I like it, but 85% of the items that claim to have pumpkin spice need to go away.  Pumpkin spice should only be in two places.....in pumpkin pie and a beverage.  Anything is a ploy to make money off of something that deserves to be a holiday tradition.  It shouldn't be a here we go again event every year.