Pumpkin Spice vs Tamales

With Summer ending, the flavors of the season are about to change, from fresh and fruity to warm and cozy. In Texas, this seasonal transfer of taste sensations sparks a yearly battle on social media- Pumpkin Spice or Tamales? Of course like most Texas, we can appreciate the varying offerings and their unique qualities. But as for me and my house, we will always look forward to our seasonal tamales. With all this talk about the house changing seasons means changing flavors, it got me curios, how did this whole battle of the fantastic fall food findings even begin?

🎃 Part 1: History of Pumpkin Spice Flavored Items for Fall

🔸 Where it began:

• Pumpkin spice originated as a blend of warm spices used in traditional pumpkin pie — typically cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice.

• These spices were used in colonial American cooking as early as the 18th century.

🔸 Modern “pumpkin spice” trend:

• In 2003, Starbucks launched the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL), and everything changed.

  • It became a cultural phenomenon, kicking off the idea that fall = pumpkin spice season.

  • It wasn't the first pumpkin-flavored product, but it popularized the idea of seasonal flavor marketing.

• After that, brands started rolling out pumpkin spice everything: candles, cereals, cookies, even dog treats.

🔸 Why it stuck:

• The scent/flavor triggers cozy, nostalgic feelings.

• It’s only available for a limited time, creating hype and urgency.

• Social media (especially Instagram and Pinterest) helped amplify the aesthetic and the craze.

🌽🌶️ Part 2: The Texas Pumpkin Spice vs. Tamales “Battle”

⚔️ What is it?

• This is a light-hearted, meme-fueled “debate” between two cultural icons of fall in Texas:

  • Pumpkin spice (often seen as commercialized or “basic” fall flavor)

  • Tamales (deeply rooted in Mexican and Tex-Mex tradition, often tied to holidays and family gatherings)

🔥 How it started:

• The “battle” began as a cultural pushback — many Texans and Latinos joked that pumpkin spice doesn’t represent their fall.

• Tweets and memes started popping up around the mid-2010s, joking:

  “Forget pumpkin spice season. It’s tamale season.”

• It became a way to reclaim cultural identity and poke fun at mainstream trends that often ignore local and ethnic food traditions.

📱 Fueled by social media:

• It’s mostly seen in memes, TikToks, and tweets, often with humorous photos like:

  • Pumpkin spice latte vs. plate of steaming tamales

  • Starbucks vs. grandma’s kitchen

• Around September/October, this debate resurfaces annually, usually in good fun — but with a hint of cultural pride.