So why do we love this particular flavor so much? Turns out, we love to be reminded of fall and the warm feelings of family, home and nostalgia the season brings — and our brains associate those warm feelings with this particular flavor, psychologists and researchers say.
Why are Americans obsessed with pumpkins?
Initially, in colonial America, people fed on bread and beer, something they acquired a taste for from their colonisers. As food shortages hit when world wars took place, people started hoarding pumpkins since they were plentiful and could be used on the bread as a filling/dressing.
Why do pumpkins make me happy?
Pumpkin seeds contain a ton of magnesium which many studies have shown is great for helping relieving anxiety, stress, and making you calmer. Over the last 50 years, the consumption of magnesium has plummeted while rates of anxiety have gone up drastically in that same time.
What started the pumpkin spice craze?
So why did it take over a hundred years for the craze to take off? It can really be attributed to coffee lovers in the late 1990s when the hot new beverage of cafes became a pumpkin spice flavored coffee, and the craze spread like wildfire across America in 2003 with the introduction of Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Is pumpkin addictive?
If you can’t wait until fall to get your pumpkin spice fix, you’re not alone. Experts say pumpkin spice addiction is a real thing. Pumpkin spice typically contains ground cinnamon, dry ginger, nutmeg and clove or allspice.
Why are pumpkins so popular every fall?
With pumpkins linked to holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween, there is a psychological theory called “reactance,” that affects us. Reactance theory, explained by The Conversation, is the strong inclination to act on limited time offers like seasonal pumpkin spice flavors.
Are pumpkins an American thing?
Scientists believe that pumpkins originated in North America about 9000 years ago. The oldest pumpkin seeds have been found in Mexico and date back to somewhere between 7000-5550 B.C.. Pumpkins (along with other forms of squash) were a historically important food staple among Native Americans.
Is pumpkin good for depression?
Research is promising. Dopamine and serotonin play an important role in depression, and recent research that took a closer look at antidepressant foods found that pumpkin seeds had an antidepressant food score (AFS) of 47%. This benefit was believed to be most closely tied to the amount of tryptophan in the seeds.
Is pumpkin good for brain?
Both pumpkin and pumpkin seeds are rich in fiber, and fiber promotes good brain health. A high-fiber diet has been shown to lead to a healthy gut, which leads to positive brain health.
What does the smell of pumpkin do?
The smell of pumpkin may produce sexual arousal in men, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation of Chicago. “Throw away the perfume and go get some pumpkin pie,” said foundation director Alan Hirsch.
Who started pumpkin spice trend?
Peter Dukes, who was product manager on Starbucks’ espresso team in 2002 and led development on the PSL, says he and his team brainstormed drinks that might resonate with customers in the fall with hazelnut, apple, cinnamon, chocolate and caramel bases — pumpkin was a flavor on the list of more than 100 ideas.
Is pumpkin a Christmas flavor?
Popular: Gingerbread, Peppermint, Eggnog, Hazelnut, Pumpkin, and Spice.
What is pumpkin spice actually made of?
What is pumpkin spice (aka pumpkin pie spice)? Pumpkin spice does not actually contain pumpkin. The blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice got its name because it is traditionally used to flavor pumpkin recipes. (Cloves and mace are sometimes included too.)
Why is pumpkin pie so addictive?
‘Actually, scientifically, kind of addictive’
By combining the recognizable pumpkin spice flavor with sugar, you train your brain and body to remember how delicious the combination is – and as soon as you smell or even imagine pumpkin spice, your body will have an anticipatory response and crave it, Franssen said.
Is pumpkin spice healthy?
Pumpkin spice, a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger, is actually really good for you in and of itself. These benefits include: Antioxidants – Cinnamon is full of antioxidants that may help to control blood sugar and reduce your chance of developing diabetes.
Is pumpkin spice still popular?
There’s no sign of the pumpkin spice latte (PSL) love dying down, either. In fact, according to Google Trends, the popular fall flavor is on pace to create more internet activity this year than ever before.
Why is pumpkin a fall symbol?
In the 19th century, when a lot of Irish immigrated to the United States, they brought the Halloween tradition of using vegetables to scare the spirits away. In America, the Irish discovered a new vegetable, the pumpkin, which is harvested in the fall, and began using it to scare the evil spirits.
Why are pumpkins so popular on Halloween?
In the 1800s, a lot of people left England and Ireland to go and live in America. They took their Halloween traditions with them, but instead of carving turnips, they made their Halloween lanterns out of pumpkins. There are a lot of pumpkins in America in the autumn.
Do pumpkins only grow in the fall?
Pumpkins have been grown in North America for almost 5,000 years! While we enjoy Pumpkin Spiced Lattes and bread and pie in October and November, the growing of Pumpkins actually starts in May because they require a LONG time growing with NO frost (generally 75-100 days of no frost nights).
What do pumpkins symbolize?
Pumpkins symbolize gratitude, generosity, harvest, and abundance. Pumpkins also represent potential, as each pumpkin is packed full of seeds that will go on to make even more pumpkins.
Can dogs eat pumpkin?
Plain canned pumpkin is the healthiest choice for your dog. Both fresh and canned pumpkin are good sources of nutrients and fiber, but canned pumpkin contains a higher concentration of fiber and nutrients compared to fresh pumpkin. This is because fresh pumpkin has higher water content than canned pumpkin.