October is pumpkin pie season—with this classic dessert centered around a popular winter squash, sugar, and spices making appearances on kitchen tables all around the globe. So, what exactly are the spices that make this dessert click? Here they are in all of their glory.
Cinnamon
The most recognizable taste in pumpkin pie spice is cinnamon—a spicy, sweet, and warm spice, which gives the backbone to the rest of the spice flavors that are found within the mix, along with helping out its aroma.
Nutmeg
One of the main sources of the aroma in pumpkin pie is nutmeg. Containing a smell that many describe as resembling that of a forest, its slightly sweet flavor also enhances the dessert.
Ginger
Most people either love ginger or hate it, but its presence in pumpkin pie is complementary and you might not even notice it. The sharp, peppery taste and smell of this spice is hardly noticeable—unless you really pay attention—but in its small dose does wonders.
Cloves
Finally, cloves are the last common spice found in pumpkin pie. This dried-out tree bud is ground into the mix in small quantities and provides a hint of a pungent sweetness and warmth that is unmistakable.
