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America Has Turned Pumpkin Spice Into Gold

Author Phil Harris
Starbucks worker Freddie Arteaga assists a customer with her drink order at a Starbucks drive-thru in Wheeling, Illinois. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Pie and lattes were only the beginning. Pumpkin spice is everywhere. You can get a Bud Light pumpkin spice flavored hard seltzer this year, pumpkin Cup-o-Noodles (tried them, not a fan), and Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts. You can buy pumpkin Alfredo sauce (why?), pumpkin spice Oreos, and even pumpkin dog treats. Let’s not forget the stuff that’s just pumpkin spice scented, like Yankee Candles and Glade Plugins. I’m surprised Pep Boys haven’t rolled out pumpkin spice windshield washer fluid! Maybe next year.

All of those products, along with the hundreds I haven’t mentioned, add up to a lot of money. It’s not an exaggeration to say that pumpkin spice is a multi-million-dollar industry. According to MSN, consumers spent about half a billion dollars on pumpkin flavored products in the U.S. in 2019, the most recent year for which Nielsen has released data.

Coffee companies don’t release sales data by flavor, but Starbucks’ overall sales rose 10 percent the week of its 2021 Pumpkin Spice Latte debut. Given the overall volume sold by that company, they could rightfully change their name every fall to Bigbucks. The coffee franchise has sold more than 600 million PSLs since the drink first debuted in 2003.

Unfortunately, pumpkin spice is not impervious to inflation. Mashed reports there’s a good chance we’re going to be paying a lot more for our favorite pumpkin spice products. Inflation has already led to increased prices with Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte priced at $6.45 this year. Also, marketing tactics, like “get it now while they last,” make people worry about pumpkin spice availability. When demand goes up, so do prices. And it’s not just lattes. Whole Foods’ spiced pumpkin pancake and waffle mix is up 130% and Trader Joe’s Pumpkin spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels are up 160%!

The bottom line is that Americans love what has become the official flavor of fall. Pumpkin spice is comforting and homey. It reminds us of someone baking in the kitchens of our childhoods. Every sip of a PSL is a signal that the holiday season is coming. What’s not to love?

15 Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Foods, Drinks and More

Ready for some limited edition pumpkin spice foods, drinks, and more? Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Among my favorite things about the season are the activities, the weather, and most importantly, the treats.

Despite the fact that fall doesn’t begin until September 22, some restaurants and retailers are already gearing up for sweater weather. I mean it’s only September 13th and I’ve had about 10 PSLs already.

This fall season, Offers.com has rounded up some of the best restaurants and retailers offering pumpkin spice items. The following are my 15 favorite Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Foods, Drinks, and Goodies. You can see the complete list here if you are a fall fanatic just like me.

  • 1. Trader Joe’s...HAS EVERYTHING!

    If you simply cannot choose a pumpkin spice treat and need some inspiration, there is no better place than the unofficial pumpkin spice headquarters, also known as Trader Joe’s. There is a good chance you’ll find at least nine out of nine of the following in our pantry’s rotation this fall:

    • Pumpkin Rolls
    • Mini Hold the Cone, Pumpkin Ginger
    • Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
    • Pumpkin Bisque Soup
    • Pumpkin Pie Spice
    • Spiced Madeleine Cookies
    • Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Slims
    • Pumpkin Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
    • Pumpkin Frosted Toaster Pastries

  • 2. Jordan’s Skinny Syrups Pumpkin Collection Trio

    Make your own pumpkin coffees and teas at home with the Jordan’s Skinny Syrups Pumpkin Collection Trio for only $9.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

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  • 3. Yankee Candle Pumpkin Scents and More

    Nothing screams autumn quite like the smell of pumpkins and now you can have the aroma in your home anytime you want, thanks to Yankee Candle. You have the option to choose from an assortment of spiced pumpkin candles and room spray. Candle prices start at $12.

  • 4. Pumpkin Spice Oat Bar

    Bobo’s did it again! This 100% whole grain oat bar, beloved in a variety of flavors, is bringing back a wonderful addition this fall with its Pumpkin Spice Oat Bar. Bobo’s is a small-batch bakery that uses wholesome ingredients to deliver simple, nutritious oat bars, and its irresistible Pumpkin Spice Bars are available at Kroger, Target, Whole Foods, and at Bobo’s online, where shipping is FREE.

  • 5. Pumpkin Gooey Bars

    Love baking? I know during fall I sure do. Make some Pumpkin Gooey Bars from Williams and Sonoma to get you in the fall spirit. It only takes eggs, butter, and cream cheese to make the baking mix. For only $15.95, each box makes 16 chewy squares.

  • 6. Burt’s Bees Pumpkin Lip Balm

    If you love having hydrated and moist lips, then you’ll love this product from Burt’s Bees. Just in time for the autumn, the personal care company has a limited edition Pumpkin Spice Lip Balm on sale for $43.39 to avoid your lips from ever getting chapped.

  • 7. Merrick Oven Baked Pumpkin Patch Dog Treats

    No need for jealous puppies in the house. At Chewy, you can buy Merrick Oven Baked Pumpkin Patch Dog Treats made with real pumpkin. These delicious doggy snacks are on sale for $7.98 (orig. $8.99).

  • 8. Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat and Pumpkin Cookie Butter Shake

    In the past, Dairy Queen has never let our pumpkin spice dreams melt. Last year, both the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat and Pumpkin Cookie Butter Shake were available at participating Dairy Queen locations nationwide, and this year, we expect that these delicious treats will be back.

  • 9. Jack Skellington Pumpkin Pie Pop

    Available at Fairfax Fare and Catalina Eddies, from September 1 through November 1, get your hands on the Jack Skellington Pumpkin Pie Pop when hanging at the Disney Hollywood Studios.

  • 10. Pumpkin Donut Muffin Mix

    Who knew Pumpkin Donut Muffin Mix existed? We sure didn’t, but it’s definitely worth a try. You can get in on this fun and amazing bakery item from Miss Jones Baking Co. now for only $5.99.

  • 11. K-Cups Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice

    Enjoy Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice with easy-to-use K-Cup® from Keurig. You can also sign up for an auto-delivery subscription from Keurig to make sure you never run out of your favorite coffee while saving up to 15%.

  • 12. All at Dunkin'

    Available hot or iced, this fall you’ll find the Dunkin’ version of the pumpkin spice latte — coffee, pumpkin, and vanilla flavors, topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon sugar — along with its entire lineup of fall favorites. Dunkin’ also is likely to bring back its pumpkin donuts, muffins, and MUNCHKIN Donut Holes.

  • 13. Pumpkin Spice Flavored Black Tea

    Snag some delicious Pumpkin Spice Flavored Black Tea from $5.93 to $18.45 and enjoy fall notes of cinnamon and pumpkin. Available at the English Tea Store.

  • 14. Tim has the pumpkin

    A plethora of all things pumpkin spice begins in earnest at Tim Hortons on Aug. 25. Hot drinks, cold drinks, frozen drinks, and sweet treats abound. Check out the offerings:

    • Pumpkin Spice Latte (available hot or cold)
    • Pumpkin Spice Iced Capp
    • Pumpkin Spice Muffin
    • Pumpkin Spice Timbits
    • Pumpkin Spice Glaze Donut

  • 15. Oreos that are pumpkin-spice flavored

    Oreo has announced that the highly sought-out pumpkin spice sandwich cookie is making its return back on the shelves, starting August 15. If you aren’t familiar with the flavor, it’s two golden Oreos with pumpkin spice-flavored filling between them.

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

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