Pumpkin spice
An American autumn blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove and allspice, sold ready mixed.
Also: pumpkin pie spice, mixed spice, apple pie spice
Pumpkin pie spice is a ground mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, sometimes with allspice, sold since the 1930s to season pumpkin pie. The British equivalent, mixed spice, adds coriander and caraway in some versions and flavours hot cross buns, Christmas puddings and cakes. The latte version, launched by a coffee chain in 2003, made the flavour a seasonal cultural phenomenon, though many such drinks contain little spice. The mix is a descendant of European baking spice traditions that go back to medieval gingerbread. Home cooks can combine their own in minutes, and freshly grated nutmeg improves it greatly.