"I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin, and crisp sunburnt leaves" -Ann Drake.
You can smell it too, right? With the subtle shift as temperatures trend a little bit cooler and the days get shorter. Pumpkin everything is on the horizon! Pumpkins rightly hold one of the top spots in the harvest cornucopia, but what is the source of all this increasing pumpkin madness, and where did it all begin?
The gourd is the word: the etymology of "pumpkin" begins with the Greek word "pepon," meaning "large melon." It evolved through French ("pompon") and English ("pumpion") before American colonists changed it to "pumpkin" in the 17th century.
From their North American debut, about 9,000 years ago, pumpkins are one of the oldest known crops in the western hemisphere, rivaling maize (corn). Pumpkins likely maintained their status as a venerable staple due to their plentitude and nutritional value. They are an excellent source of potassium, vitamin A, and beta-carotene, the powerful antioxidant that gives orange vegetables and fruits their vibrant color.
Did you know that there is a National Pumpkin Day? Celebrated every year on October 26, its origins and timeline are unclear. How fitting for the bright, colorful, and cheery star of the harvest season to get its own special day. All aboard for gourds!
But, why the grinning face? The tradition of the “jack-o’-lantern” evolved from an Irish tradition of carving turnips, and sometimes potatoes. This practice stems from the legendary tale about a man named Stingy Jack, a fairly unsavory character. Jack was mythically famous (or infamous) for playing tricks on people. In the end, as the story goes, he was destined to roam the night by the light of a single glowing coal ember held aloft inside of a carved turnip. Once the carving custom arrived in North America, the abundance of pumpkins, which are easier to carve, made them a much more popular canvas for carrying on this tradition of warding off wandering spirits.
Make it spicy. We owe a hearty thanks a latte to the McCormick & Company spice makers for the introduction of their pumpkin pie spice blend back in the 1930s. Many years later, it ignited the 2003 launch of the now famous pumpkin-spiced beverage. Anytime is the perfect time to craft a Pumpkin Spice Latte to your own specifications. Upton Tea Imports submits for your consideration: NT35: Pumpkin Spice Chai. Indulge in the sweet cinnamon aroma that portends notes of warming spices in the cup, providing the perfect complement to the luscious, fresh-from-the-most-sincere-pumpkin-patch flavor. Add a dollop of cream and sweetener for a sumptuous treat, hot or iced! We are also pleased to announce the addition of JAM9: Pumpkin Maple Butter to our sweeteners and spreads line-up. Celebrate the golden flavors of autumn with a spoonful of this creamy pumpkin delight added to your next cuppa.
However you choose to carve out a little leisure time this harvest season, simply add a bit of pumpkin, and life is gourd. Until next time, keep sipping!