Phoenix New Times, LLC
Lauren Saria
| Wake Up Call |

Want to Know What's in Pumpkin Flavoring? (Hint: Not Pumpkin)

Lauren Saria | November 18, 2013 | 6:00am
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • email
  • Print Article
AA
^
Keep New Times Free
Support Us
I Support
  • Local
  • Community
  • Journalism
  • logo

Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of New Times free.

Support Us

Since we're already seeing Christmas lights and peppermint-flavored everything, it may already be too late to save anyone from the pumpkin flavored-deluge. But just in case you're still sucking down those PSLs (that's Pumpkin Spice Latte, for the non-Starbucks fans out there) and snacking on pumpkin-flavored almonds (which are a real thing now!), here's an inside look at what ingredients really makes up that precious pumpkin flavor.

And spoiler alert here, people, it's not pumpkins.

See also: 5 Metro Phoenix Pumpkin Treats To Try Before You Get Pumpkin-ed Out

The New York Times reports that sales of pumpkin-flavored food products are up 20 percent from last year and will account for some $290 million this year. According to Nielsen, we have those darn, lazy millennials to blame for the trend, since they're the ones snatching up these "limited-edition" products.

Anyway, Michael Moss went behind the scenes at Flavor & Fragrance Specialties in New Jersey, where he found up what really goes into the laboratory creation we know and love as pumpkin flavoring.

By the way, if you're looking for some authentic pumpkin flavor in your life, here are some easy instructions on how to puree a pumpkin -- and a whole bunch of pumpkin recipes from our Chow Bella contributors.

Follow Chow Bella on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

  • Restaurants
  • Wake Up Call

Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our terms of use, our cookies policy, and our privacy policy

The Phoenix New Times may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners.

©2021 Phoenix New Times, LLC. All rights reserved.

CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: California Privacy Policy | California Collection Notice | Do Not Sell My Info