Madi McEver, Campus Carrier Entertainment Editor

The season of changing leaves, crisp mornings, sweaters and hot beverages is upon us. For many, this change of seasons is not complete without one major component– pumpkin spice.

I am not sure when the “pumpkin craze” began, but it seems to be escalating with each passing year. As soon as September arrives, pumpkin fans of all ages come out of the woodwork and inundate social media with announcements about every pumpkin delicacy that they consume, with pumpkin spice lattes (now affectionately referred to as the PSL) being hailed as some sort of deity.

Of course, the PSL is not the only pumpkin spice-spiked food. There are now pumpkin spice M&Ms, marshmallows, cookies, pancakes, candy corn, granola bars and pretzels. I think that you would be hard-pressed to visit any grocery store in this area and not accidentally stumble across pumpkin-spiced something.

If I am being completely honest here, I do not think that the majority of the people buying into the pumpkin craze actually like the flavor of pure pumpkin. After all, pumpkin is nothing more than a variety of squash. Who wants a squash-flavored latte or muffin? Nobody, that’s who. It is the spices that go along with the pumpkin that people love so dearly, or at least some chemical that mimics those spices that gives you the “warm fuzzies.”

My biggest question still remains. Why pumpkin spice? Why not apple pie or some other holiday flavor? My hypothesis is that people are drawn to pumpkin-esque flavors because they “taste like home.” The flavor and aroma of pumpkin pie takes me back to Thanksgiving get-togethers with my whole family. It somehow feels peaceful, familiar, joyful and secure. I’m sure that I am not alone in this.

If I could give any one piece of advice to the lovers of the PSL, it would be that there is better pumpkin spice out there than the sickeningly sweet chemical compound that Starbucks tries to sell you. Next time you need a fix, check out a locally owned, small-town coffee shop. Without fail, I find the taste to be far superior, and the experience to be more pleasant in general.

So carry on, pumpkin spice lovers. Enjoy your favorite season and all that it has to offer. Just try not to get so caught up in the world of pumpkins that you forget about all of the other fantastic things about autumn.