At Harvest Foods recently, I saw something I’d never seen before – Pumpkin Spice Cheerios. I couldn’t believe it.

Before I moved back to Montana, I remember the start of the pumpkin spice craze. What’s better than pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving? Try pumpkin pie in your coffee. It was special and delicious and you could only get it certain times of the year. It was a treat.

Fast forward a decade or so later and pumpkin spice has lost its luster. It’s not as special when you can now buy Twinkies, Poo-Pourri toilet spray and even deodorant with the iconic scent of fall. Even Greenies dog treats now come in pumpkin spice flavor. If you have seen me with my dog Walter Cronkite Wooden, you know he’s spoiled, but special flavored dog treats might be crossing a line.*

Poor pumpkin spice is now so commercialized that it isn’t even unique to fall. Starbucks brought back their pumpkin spice lattes before August was even over this year. It’ll become a running joke, just as it is seeing how early stores put out Christmas décor.

Don’t worry, pumpkin spice. You’ll always remind me of special times, and I vow to only enjoy your flavor in fall.

What’s the most unique pumpkin spice product you’ve tried? Email me at [email protected] and let me know!

*Full disclosure – I did recently purchase a fantastic hoodie for Walter with pumpkins and pumpkins spice lattes, I’m not completely opposed to the craze.

– Annie Wooden