by Luke Loranger |
America’s recent obsession with pumpkins can be traced back to January 2003, when Starbucks launched the pumpkin spice latte. Unfortunately, Starbucks’ success with the pumpkin spice latte created demand for more pumpkin flavored goods, which brings us to where we are today. Once September hits, grocery stores across the country begin stocking goods caked in artificial pumpkin flavoring. From alcohol to Oreos, pumpkin or “pumpkin spice” flavoring is everywhere.
In recent years, I have found myself struggling to accept the “pumpkinification” of America. What makes pumpkins better than flavors traditionally associated with fall? While pumpkins have dominated the media, there are a variety of fall flavors that are just as good. When thinking of desserts traditionally associated with fall, my mind often turns to pecan pie. Pecan pie is a beautiful Southern dessert and smells significantly better than pumpkin pie. However, when the discussion of favorite fall dishes occurs at UP, this dessert is usually considered an afterthought. Many people cannot even remember the last time they had pecan pie. However, most people remember their pilgrimage to Costco last October to grab a white carton labeled “pumpkin pie.”
I urge you to not give into the hype surrounding pumpkins. I like pumpkins and do think they have a place in modern society. Pumpkins can be effectively utilized in a variety of dishes and desserts. Nevertheless, the American obsession with pumpkin spice must stop. I was deeply disappointed with the direction that Trader Joe's took with their latest issue of “Fearless Flyer.” Instead of bringing in a variety of tasteful fall products, they went the cheap, lazy route and made the overwhelming majority of their new products pumpkin flavored.
Furthermore, if more Americans cut pumpkin spice lattes or pumpkin Oreos out of their diet they would be better off. Most of these products contain no real pumpkin flavoring and are instead made with synthetic flavor and color.
If nothing else, consumers should have alternatives. For every pumpkin spice cookie butter there should be an apple or pecan alternative. Why shouldn’t Trader Joe's carry pecan bagels?
Is the pumpkin obsession worth the hype?
I reviewed some of Trader Joe's most popular pumpkin items.
Pumpkin Bagels
3/5
Pumpkin flavoring was overt and tangy. The actual taste of the bagel fairs very well if eaten alone. However, the best bagels are those that can be slathered in cream cheese. Furthermore, these bagels do not go well with cream cheese, which is what Trader Joe's claims.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
1/5
Tastes like too much is going on within the muffin. Traders Joe's attempted to live up to the expectations set up with a mixture of cream cheese and muffins but failed spectacularly. I seriously wonder how this product made it past quality control.
Pumpkin Rolls
3.5/5 Pumpkins are an essential part of any thanksgiving meal and therefore have a special place in my heart. Trader Joe's approach to Pumpkin Rolls include icing in the middle that makes the product more a dessert. The icing itself is rich and delicious, but the roll itself is just not as good as what I am used to back home.
Luke Loranger is a reporter for the Beacon and can be reached at loranger18@up.edu or @loranger18.
