Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin spice cookies, pumpkin spice cereal... why is it in the fall we just can't get enough of the good stuff? Margaret shares why we love everything pumpkin spice.
Class Discussion Questions:
1) Create a Venn diagram comparing fruits and vegetables.
2) What other senses impact flavor?
3) Describe what sugar does to the flavor of an item and how it interacts with your brain.
Read the Script:
Uh, don't mind me, I'm not really pigging out. I mean, pumpkins are vegetables or fruits or something healthy, right? Okay, so maybe pumpkin pie isn't the healthiest option but why is it that when fall rolls around, I want to eat all the pumpkin spice flavored things? Turns out, there's some science behind it.
First, let's start with what exactly is a flavor. It's more than just how something tastes. Often just the smell of our favorite foods can get our mouth watering. Tiny food particles that you sniff in hit the smell receptors in your nose and tell your brain something tasty is on the way. Then, with just one bite, the taste buds on your tongue send even more information to your brain about what's going on. So, add aroma and taste together and you get flavor.
Some people even think there are other sensations that come into play, like temperature and mouth feel, which is just what it sounds like, how something feels in your mouth. Taffy might be sticky while potato chips are crunchy. Think about it. You probably wouldn't enjoy a crisp taffy or sticky chips, ugh. With all of these lengths from flavor to the brain, it's also a big length with memory. Smells can get tied to happy and sad memories. Lucky for pumpkin spice, most fall memories are cozy and happy. So even the sniff of pumpkin pie can transport you back to last year's fun, family Thanksgiving.
Now pumpkin spice is usually a blend of things like cinnamon, and nutmeg, and sometimes it doesn't contain pumpkin at all. What makes the blend particularly addictive is the sugar in it. Sugar hits your brain like an exclamation point. The more you have, the more you want. And unfortunately, too much sugar is not good for you. So, use a little restraint. Maybe just one bite. I mean it's science guys, I have to.
Find Out More
Website Article: Business Insider, A Brief History of How Pumpkin Spice Took Over Our Lives
Website Article: Betty Crocker, DIY Pumpkin Spice: Your Must-Make Fall Ingredient | Homemade is always better.
Website Article: Sugar, Spice and Glitter, Kids’ Kitchen: Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats Recipe | Make some for Thanksgiving dinner