Pumpkin pie spice has far exceeded its pie seasoning origins. Formulated by McCormick in 1934 to take advantage of Libby's 1929 release of canned pumpkin, it can now be found in nearly every kind of fall food, not to mention a bunch of other non-food fall themed items. Though McCormick touted it as a more versatile seasoning than the moniker suggested, pumpkin pie spice wasn't beloved in an omnipresent way until the early 2000s.
Once 'pumpkin spice' was incorporated into a Starbucks' seasonal latte offering, a cult following was formed inspiring annual pilgrimages and a certain desperation for the official commencement of sweater weather. The frenzy for the flavor has taken hold and each year folks find new ways to spread the taste into other food groups and, as mentioned, into categories beyond anything edible. Our pumpkin pie spice blend has nutmeg as a star.
Its nutty warmth shines in this mix and along with notes of ginger's sharp pungency it rounds out the sweetness of the blend's cinnamon base.