Food & Beverage

Apple spice knocking out pumpkin spice for fall's favorite flavor?

Apple Pie Spice is subtle, flexible and perfect for sweet and savory applications.

Photo: AI

October 2, 2024 by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

Scene: The Spice Agency — Fall Edition
A sleek, modern office space with a large "Seasonal Spokesperson" sign hanging over the reception desk. It's last September, and there's a bustling energy as spice blends line up for their fall interviews. A stage-like setting is prepared with a single spotlight shining on an empty chair. As the curtains rise, we hear the voice of the interviewer off-stage.)

Interviewer (off-stage): Next up, we have... Apple Pie Spice.

(Enter Apple Pie Spice, a confident blend of warm cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and a hint of cardamom. Apple Pie Spice steps into the spotlight, adjusting an apron that reads "Fresh Flavor, Year-Round." The chair creaks as it takes a seat, ready for the interview.)

Interviewer: Well, well, Apple Pie Spice. I see you're here to challenge for the position of the Fall Season Spokesperson, a title long held by... glances at clipboard Pumpkin Pie Spice.

(A ripple of murmurs comes from the unseen audience of spices, clearly intrigued by the competition. A slow, sarcastic clap comes from the corner as Pumpkin Pie Spice leans against the wall, looking slightly worn but still proud. Apple Pie Spice smiles politely, unfazed.)

Apple Pie Spice: That's right. Pumpkin Pie Spice has had an impressive run, no doubt. But it's time for a change. Consumers are starting to feel it — 2023 was the beginning of the backlash. People are craving something fresh, something more versatile. I'm here to offer just that.

Pumpkin Pie Spice (snorts): Backlash? You say that like they're tired of me. I've been the fall flavor for years, headlining everything from lattes to candles. What makes you think you can take my place?

Apple Pie Spice (smiling): Oh, I'm not here to replace you, Pumpkin. There's room for both of us, but let's face it — you're a bit of a one-trick pony. You've dominated fall with your signature blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. But lately, consumers are craving more versatility. You're tied to a single holiday — Thanksgiving. Me? I can go beyond that.

Interviewer: Interesting. Can you elaborate on that versatility?

Apple Pie Spice: Absolutely. See, I don't just shine in pies or desserts. I'm a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and — here's the kicker — cardamom. That subtle swap for cardamom gives me an edge. I'm more adaptable. I can slide into sweet dishes just as easily as savory ones. Roasted veggies? Check. Cider, cocktails, or even sauces for meats? Pork roast anyone? No problem.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: Oh please, I can do savory too... kind of.

Apple Pie Spice (smirking): With cloves? Good luck. Cloves can be a bit overpowering. That's part of the reason you're more limited. Consumers might love you for their pies and lattes, but when it comes to versatility, you struggle. Cloves dominate the blend, making it harder for other ingredients to shine. I bring a more subtle balance, which allows me to enhance dishes without overwhelming them. I'm great with root vegetables, squash, and even seafood, if you can believe it.

Pumpkin Pie Spice (narrowing eyes): But I'm iconic. I am fall.

Apple Pie Spice: No one's denying that. But here's the thing: you're iconic for one season. You're tied to the fall and particularly to Thanksgiving. Me? I'm not boxed in. Apple pie is an American classic, and it's not confined to just one time of the year. I can headline summer cookouts, winter comfort dishes, and yes — I can even hang around in the fall with you. I'm not restricted by the calendar.

Interviewer: So, you're saying your cultural appeal extends beyond the fall?

Apple Pie Spice: Exactly. Apples are harvested in fall, but they're beloved year-round. That gives me a kind of seasonal versatility that Pumpkin here doesn't have. Plus, consumers are starting to feel the saturation of Pumpkin Pie Spice. It's everywhere — from lattes to cereals to bath products. They want something new, something that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time.

(The murmur of spices grows louder as Pumpkin Pie Spice shifts uncomfortably in their seat.)

Pumpkin Pie Spice: So what if I'm everywhere? That's because people love me.

Apple Pie Spice: Of course they do, but even you have to admit — there's such a thing as too much of a good thing. Consumers are asking for a break. They want something fresh but not too far outside their comfort zone. That's where I come in. I offer familiarity — cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger — but with a twist. And here's another thing: my blend aligns with the rise in health-conscious cooking.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: Health-conscious cooking? You've got to be kidding me.

Apple Pie Spice: Not at all. I can be incorporated into lower-sugar, health-forward recipes because my flavor enhances the natural sweetness of fruits like apples and pears. I don't rely on excess sugar or fat to shine. That's a big draw for consumers trying to cut down on sweeteners. And, with cardamom instead of cloves, I bring a sophisticated edge to any dish without overpowering it.

Interviewer: So, you're positioning yourself as a healthier, more adaptable choice for fall and beyond?

Apple Pie Spice: Exactly. I represent a shift toward culinary creativity — I'm offering a fresh perspective on what fall flavors can be. Sure, Pumpkin Pie Spice has had an incredible run, but consumers are ready for something different. And I'm here to give them that — more subtle, more flexible, and perfect for both sweet and savory applications.

(Pumpkin Pie Spice sighs, acknowledging the points made but still standing tall in its own legacy.)

Pumpkin Pie Spice: Fine. But I'm not going down without a fight.

Apple Pie Spice (grinning): I wouldn't expect anything less.

(The scene fades as the two spices stand shoulder to shoulder, both aware that the future of fall flavors may soon have a new contender rising to the top.)

Interviewer (off-stage): And so, the battle for fall flavor supremacy begins...

Food & Beverage