Earlier this week, I sent an @ reply to Jenn on Twitter about pumpkins, specifically pumpkin-flavored foods. And, well, it got a little bit of a response from other local and non-local bloggers who jumped to defend everything pumpkin.
One even went so far as to infer that loving pumpkin foods and being awesome go hand-in-hand.
That is actually not always the case.
Why? Because I am awesome and I don’t like pumpkin-flavored foods.
That’s right. I’m NOT a fan of pumpkin.
*shock!* *gasp!*
This includes: pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, pumpkin-flavored candy or muffins and…
Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh snap, no you didn’t, yes I did!!! *insert sassy finger wave*
I’ve never had a pumpkin spice latte and I don’t want to try one. I still go to Starbucks (which is a client) but I stick with my white hot chocolate (with skim) or mocha. There is something about the taste of pumpkin that just turns me off, same with the scent of pumpkin candles. Ick.
So how did I become anti-pumpkin? Well, as with many things, I blame my parents (I’ll work that out in therapy later) because we were never a big pumpkin-fan house. My parents don’t eat pumpkin pie and every year at Thanksgiving, there is only one piece eaten because the one person who does eat it takes his piece and then doesn’t take the whole pie home with him.
What is up with that?
Anyhow, I’ll take a lovely pumpkin and gourd assortment (with seasonal corn) any day in my apartment or at my desk and I love pumpkin seeds but I just don’t like the taste or smell of pumpkins.
Maybe digging out the pumpkin guts for all those years as a kid turned me off to it.
But…give me a chocolate mint drink or any mint-flavored desserts and I’m in heaven. I’m minty fresh, not pumpkin soft.
What about you? Are you pumpkin obsessed now that it’s fall? And do you indulge in all things pumpkin while it’s in season? Or are you anti-pumpkin, come on ladies, don’t leave me as the only non-pumpkin fan out there!
Oh, thank GOD. Here I was thinking I was one of the only people who didn’t like pumpkin anything. I haven’t ever liked it, for whatever reason, and I’m OK with that. Though some baked goods I’ve seen recently look awesome, minus the pumpkin filling…
You should know how much I value you as a friend when I tell you I won’t let this ruin our friendship. I do think Starbucks overdoes it on the pumpkin lattes — they’re a little too much of something. But otherwise pumpkin-flavored foods and beverages are my reason for living this time of the year.
OMG… I think we might be soul mates. My entire post on Wednesday was about how much I hate ALL THINGS PUMPKIN, particularly the pumpkin spiced latte. I swear if I see one more person tweet about it, I’m going to go postal on a Starbucks, for reals.
LOVE YOUR FACE! Pumpkin haters unite!!!
I must admit. I have partaken in more than my fair share of pumpkin spice lattes as of late.
Like I said on Twitter days ago (I’m late as always), no pumpkin for me either … and I am so very awesome. Ha.
I don’t like the taste. No doubt about that. But I think I also have a strange little allergy to pumpkin that I didn’t notice ’til I tried to carve one two years ago. Hives all up my arms and my hands was not fun, needless to say.
I am a fan of seasonal food, all things pumpkin included. Starbucks pumpkin lattes have my heart and as soon as I heard they were selling them I was there.
I’m indifferent to pumpkin. My family makes pumpkin pie for every Thanksgiving holiday, but most of the time I don’t bother with it. Not because I’m don’t like it, it’s just not something I craved for. Besides, by the time I’m done grubbing down on turkey, stuffing, peas, rice, and beans, my tummy is stuffed and looking at pumpkin pie can be nauseating.
I’m a fan of pumpkin-related drinks and foods but it wasn’t always this way. I blame my old roomie for my borderline obsession with all things pumpkin.
You should move to Australia, we not all that pumpkin oriented. I have an American friend who had never eaten roast pumpkin by itself, she’d only consumed it as a sweeter type of food. I was so perplexed… I think sweet potato is far superior!
I don’t go out of my way for pumpkin, but if it is offered up, I’m not really going to turn down a piece of pie, let’s be realistic here.
Olive Garden has a pumpkin cheesecake that doesn’t so much taste like pumpkin as it tastes like 4,000 delicious calories.
I had no idea this was a point of such contention! I’m a strange hybrid of pumpkin lovers and haters, I love pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin scones, pumpkin muffins… but I hate, hate, HATE pumpkin pie! It’s the consistency, all gooey and gelatinous. Ugh!
I’m quasi-”Team Pumpkin” as anything aside from from pumpkin pie will make my mouth happy.
I also despise pumpkin!! I wish I liked it but everything pumpkin related turns me off.
i enjoy some pumpkin scents and pumpkin pie, but that’s about it. oh wait pumpkin muffins, yeah i love those.
Amen sister.
I do like pumpkin spice candles, but pumpkin foods or drinks….no thanks!
Sorry, Jessica, I’m team pumpkin. Actually, I’m planning on making a double-batch of my pumpkin bread this weekend. No worries, there are plenty of other fall flavors out there for you to enjoy – pecan pie, candy/caramel apples, hot chocolate, hot cider, mmm…. Have a great weekend!
I love love LOVE pumpkin. But I can totally see how one could not like it. It’s definitely a unique flavor. Most of my family doesn’t care for pumpkin, either. I guess I’m the oddball. BUT. I CAN’T STAND the pumpkin spice lattes. Blech. I also love egg nog but can’t stand egg nog lattes. Oh, and you’re totally awesome.
I like carving pumpkins and roasting pumpkin seeds, but that’s it. Otherwise I HATE PUMPKIN FLAVORED THINGS!!! :)
I don’t drink lattes, so I won’t be trying that one at Starbucks, but I do eat pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving and I carve pumpkins and eat their seeds. But that’s about as far as it goes. I also hate candy corn–I know, I’m probably in the minority on that one.
You know, I’ve never even eaten pumpkin pie. As I mentioned on Twitter, I’ll stick with my pumpkin seeds … but I don’t need to ingest anything else pumpkin related.
As I mentioned on Facebook, other than my light & fluffy pumpkin squares, I generally find anything made with pumpkin to be too heavy and rich.
Not a pumpkin fan. However, it is possible to make a cake using a can of pumpkin instead of eggs, oil, etc., making it much lower in fat and calories. AND the best part–you can’t taste the pumpkin.
I’m a huge fan of anything that tastes or smells like pumpkin pie but I’ve never wanted to try the pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.
And I’m still awesome because I love a peppermint mocha from Starbucks, so there. :-)
Sorry to disappoint you, but I do like some pumpkin flavored things – muffins and pie are awesome. I don’t mind the pumpkin spiced latte, but I feel like it leaves a weird film on the roof of my mouth.
I’m not a huge fan of mint chocolate items though. I like mint and chocolate, just not together.
I’m not pumpkin obsessed but I do like pumpkin pie, muffins etc.
However, I know how you feel. I HATE watermelon, just the smell makes me shudder. It’s a dislike other people just DON’T get.
I don’t do pumpkins either. I think I am awesome.
I will admit I DID have pumpkin pancakes recently and they were rather good but I think it’s because they weren’t insane on the pumpkin taste.
You. Are. Ridiculous. Pumpkin is amazing! I only like it in latte form though, actually. So I guess I’m not that hardcore. AND I get my latte from Dunkin Donuts and not Starbucks- so I’m cheaper, too, apparently. :)
Pumpkin belongs in two places:
1. My porch, carved prettily, and
2. My beer.
I’m not necessarily a fan of ALL things pumpkins. But pumpkin pie is my FAVORITE pie, and I do generally like pumpkin flaovred stuff.
I would not, however, burn a pumpkin candle anywhere near my person at any time. I think scents like pumpking or the f’ing mochachino that is radiating from every other office in my hallway, are far too overpowering. I walk into work and want to gag just about everyone morning since one of my co-workers had her “Scentsy” book party. Ugh!
you are not alone!! i too feel the same way about pumpkins that you do, and i will take it a step further and admit to not likeing any pies. at all. call me a commy!
It’s okay, the less people who enjoy pumpkin spice lattes = the more for people who love it like me. Less likely to run out! Win-win.
While i don’t HATE pumpkin, I just don’t particularly care about it.
That being said, spiced pumpkin seeds are very nice…
I’m anti sweet pumpkin. Like pie and lattes and such.
But in Australia, pumpkin is seen as a savory vegetable (they have more than just jack-o-lanterns and pie pumpkings. Like Jap and Kent & Butternut etc.) and it’s delicious roasted, or on pizza, or in savory soup (thai coconut corriander) or in mac and cheese or pretty much every and any other circumstance you can think of.
YUM.
don’t worry, I don’t like pumpkin either. the only pumpkin i like are the seeds.
I can’t say I’m a pumpkin fan but pumpkin spice latte is actually good. Which is why I’m pretty bummed because Starbucks here don’t carry it as seasonal drink this month. Booohooo.
You made me look like a crazy person on the #9 bus tonight. I was reading via BB and cracking up at the attitude you’re basting tonight!! We’ve had this chat but I love pumpkin risotto, ravioli, soup…even cheesecake but that’s as sweet as I want it. No lattes, no (GASP!) pie. I will claim my awesome ambivalence now.
Hmm, I’m shocked! I thought you’re a big fan of pumpkin.
Anywho.
I love pumpkin pie (the one I make with banana) and pumpkin soup or fried pumpkin – BUT I don’t like Pumpkin latte (gag). I think it all depends… Fall is here.. :)
i love pumpkin pie. i adore carving pumpkins. i don’t care for starbuck’s pumpkin spice latte..it tasted like shit when i tried it last year? doesn’t matter… i love pumpkin candles. but i only love these things in the fall when its halloween and thanksgiving. i’m a seasonal pumpkin lover.
I LOVE pumpkin pie and pumpkin muffins and a treat to me is a pumpkin spice latte. Oh, and pumpkin seeds, too. :)
Hate pumpkin. I have tried the Pumpkin Spice latte and let me tell you, you aren’t missing anything.
I thought I didn’t like pumpkin, but then I spent a holiday season working at Williams Sonoma and totally feel in love with their spiced pecan pumpkin quick bread.
Mmmm :)
you are too funny!!
yes, you are awesome. Even if you don’t like all things pumpkin.
I like most things that are pumpkin-ish, but not all :)
Never had the famous Starbucks drink since I don’t drink coffee. But, I will admit, it smells good. I didn’t grow up with pumpkin pie, either, since my mom hates it. But, I discovered I liked it as an adult. I wouldn’t say I like everything that’s pumpkin flavored or scented, but I probably like most of it. But I wouldn’t equate liking it with awesomeness. I don’t think I’m *that* awesome.
you’re so funny! i LOVE pumpkin, but i often get the same type of responses because i really don’t like chocolate all that much. people think i’m insane! :)
Heh. Don’t read my blog next week then :-P
I do like the pumpkin but not the chocolate mint, even though it’s a favorite in my house and loved throughout the world. But I silently choose not to partake.
I used to LOVE the pumpkin spice latte, but I quit coffee about a year ago and for some reason without the latte the pumpkin stuff totally doesn’t seem as attractive.
Plus I’m on a Major Diet so I’m trying to keep myself away from pumpkin – sugar is a total trigger (ie toss the diet that day and gorge myself) food.
Guess I’ll stick to my caffeine-free green tea :)
I’m also not a pumpkin fan, I’ve never liked it. I’ve eaten pumpkin pie a few times, just give me apple pie instead :)
I was never a pumpkin fan until this year. I blame twitter and the increasing popularity of Starbucks!
The spice latte is pretty good, so… You’ll never try it???
You’re forgiven, but ONLY because of the sassy finger wave.
PUMPKINS FTW!
I like pumpkin bread, but I do not care for pumpkin spice lattes or pumpkin pie. Apple is my fall flavor of choice.
I am awesome too and do not enjoy the pumpkin.
We are awesome.