Pumpkin spice season is upon us! Whether you’re an addict or a hater, you can’t deny the fact that fall is inevitably tied to the arrival of the PSL, or pumpkin spice latte. Whether you’re indulging in an icy sip right now or plugging your nose until peppermint time rolls around, you can brush up on your autumn-flavored knowledge with the following facts. The pumpkin spice flavor got really popular in 2003 when Starbucks debuted it as a limited-time, seasonal option. It really became popular around 2010. The company has sold more than 600 million pumpkin spice lattes in U.S. storefronts since the drink launched.

Spice maker McCormick debuted its Pumpkin Pie Spice in 1934 with intent to flavor pumpkin pie when canned pumpkin came to market, the company tells USA today in an email. The spice brand’s mix eliminated the need to measure out specific quantities of varying spices by providing a bottled combination of ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice. Pumpkin pie spice, also known as pumpkin spice, is an American spice mix commonly used as a flavoring for pumpkin pie, but it does NOT include pumpkin as an ingredient. 

You can make or get multiple things with pumpkin spice, like pumpkin cheesecakes, pumpkin spice cookies, and pumpkin spice lattes. Also, a traditional favorite is pumpkin pie. 

When I think of pumpkin spice, I think of all things fall, starting with pumpkin spice lattes. But the flavor’s range is wide with pumpkin spice breads, pasta sauces, and even products like pumpkin spice-scented candles, body sprays, deodorants, soaps and so much more.

Pumpkin spice is not overrated. It’s a tradition, and it makes the fall season so much better. Most people genuinely enjoy it. According to sophomore Faith Vandenberg, the drink “tastes like fall in a cup.”