3 Reasons Behind the Popularity of Pumpkin Spice Coffee

It is that time of year again when people flock to their favorite coffee shops to find pumpkin spice coffees and lattes. Indeed, pumpkin spice is one of the top-selling flavors from mid-September through the end of the year. Some coffee shops would contend it is the most popular flavor of all. But why?

There are three possible reasons explaining the popularity of the pumpkin spice flavor. Before we get to them though, consider this: Forbes reports that pumpkin-flavored coffees were the third best-selling pumpkin products in 2015 with sales in excess of $32 million. Furthermore, 37% of America’s consumers purchased something flavored with pumpkin spice in 2015. The total pumpkin spice market exceeded $500 million.

That is a lot of pumpkin spice no matter how you look at it. So again, what’s going on here? Why is it that people fall head over heels with pumpkin spice coffee, pastries, and even dog treats this time of year? Here are the three reasons we previously mentioned:

1. Biological Cravings

Human biology causes us to crave things it needs to satisfy physiological requirements. Yes, our bodies need things like sugar, salt, and fat. Pumpkin spice-flavored foods and beverages contain all three. More importantly, a September article published on the Today website explains that “cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves are particular taste enhancers.”

As the thinking goes, the body already naturally craves the ingredients found in a flavored cup of coffee. When you throw in the spices necessary to make a pumpkin spice-flavored coffee, you are adding flavor enhancers that tell the body this is especially good stuff.

2. Emotional Satisfaction

Pumpkin spice flavors remind us of the rituals of the autumn season. With autumn comes the start of the annual holiday season, beginning with Halloween and concluding with New Year’s Day. It could very well be that people associate the pumpkin spice flavor with the emotional satisfaction of the holidays. In short, pumpkin spice coffee may be the ultimate comfort food as we say goodbye to summer and prepare for winter.

3. Exceptional Marketing Strategies

The third and final reason is not so warm and fuzzy: exceptional marketing strategies have put pumpkin spice at the forefront of fall marketing for foods and beverages. Starbucks was the first to introduce the pumpkin spice flavor as an institution in 2003; they have invested heavily in marketing it ever since.

Even as our bodies naturally crave what pumpkin spice foods offer, marketers encourage us to answer those cravings with a cup of coffee. They also take advantage of the emotional satisfaction by marketing in ways that remind us of what we consider ‘happy times’.

Regardless of why pumpkin spice is the most popular coffee flavor this time of year, Galaxie Coffee is here to make sure your office has all the hot and cold beverages you need. Get in touch with us to learn more about our full range of coffees, teas, cold beverages, and breakroom supplies.