Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.
Hello friends, non-friends, and people who are probably going to harass me online for what I’m about to say.
Normally, I would start one of these posts by saying “Let’s argue,” but I’m not doing that today because for what I am coming here to discuss there is no argument.
Let me first make a confession: I have always been a pumpkin spice kind of girlie until this year.
I always made it a point to have at least one pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin cold brew when Starbucks puts them out each year, but that didn’t happen this year. This year, the fall drink I was highly anticipating was that Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato joint.
When I started thinking about why, I realized that the idea of “pumpkin spice” is weird considering pumpkin doesn’t really have a taste. What we are all really lining up for at Starbucks is a hot cup of milk with a few shots of espresso and a ton of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Basically, we like spicey coffee, because pumpkin does not have a taste.
I’m going to keep repeating that until y’all get it.
Every year as we start gearing up for the holidays, every store starts ramping up their “pumpkin spice” offerings; just look at Trader Joe’s. They have pumpkin everything, including body butter, which I’m actually curious about, because what does pumpkin smell like?
Pumpkin doesn’t have a taste, and what we are really being sold on is all the spices and aromatics they use to add flavor to what is essentially nature’s tofu in gourd form.
It’s pretty much the same thing when it comes to pies.
While I will admittedly eat pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie is the real champion. Pumpkin pie is for white people.
You know how I know pumpkin pie is for white people? Because I grew…
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