PUMPKIN SPICE OR PEPPERMINT? Where Does the Social Stigma Come From?
It seems like pumpkin has woven itself into just about everything. Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin butter, pumpkin beer, pumpkin Pringles, pumpkin ramen, and even pumpkin spice body wash. Not even Bubba from “Forrest Gump” could list all the varieties of pumpkin-infused products. But while this craze sweeps the nation every fall, somehow, someway, it’s seasonal flavor sister, peppermint, receives very little attention. Why is that? Here are two possible explanations. The War on “Basic” Recent trends seem to dominate America’s youth, and not too long ago, the pursuit of mainstream or popular movements was defined as “basic.” The common connotation is associated with young women who have similar tastes in clothing and general lifestyle — Ugg boots, Instagram selfies, leggings, and pumpkin spice lattes all serving as common stereotypes — but it also applies to men. UrbanDictionary.com, a common resource for modern slang terms, defines “basic” as “used to describe someone devoid of defining characteristics that might make a person interesting, extraordinary, or just simply worth devoting time or attention to” and provides examples of a conversation with a man who has the personality of a brick wall.
For contrarians who pride themselves on counterculture — sometimes called “hipsters” — pumpkin spice is at the center of the “basic” stereotype. Its rise in popularity created an equal ascension of animosity. The idea that “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” took pumpkin spice from a simple seasonal flavor, like peppermint, and turned it into, for lack of a better word, a movement. Tradition Pumpkin spice is a new player on the scene, having made its debut in 2003. The increase in technology, information sharing, and social media only fueled the growth of pumpkin spice, thus subjecting the new flavor to the same associations as other creations of the time — such as e-scooters or iPods. Peppermint, on the other hand, has always been a widely accepted choice for the holidays. The only negative feelings toward the flavor stem from the fact that it is often lumped in with pumpkin spice as being an overhyped, mainstream, capitalistic money-maker. Regardless of whether you enjoy a peppermint mocha, pumpkin spice latte, or a plain ol’ black coffee, we hope you have a happy holiday season.
BUTTERY ROASTED CHESTNUTS
BRAIN WARM-UP
Ingredients
• 2 pounds fresh chestnuts, unpeeled • 2–3 sprigs rosemary • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste • Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Heat oven to 450 F. 2. Place a large sheet of foil on a rimmed baking sheet. 3. On a large, flat workspace, place chestnuts flat side down. Using a sharp
knife, carve an X on the rounded side of each chestnut. 4. In a large bowl of hot water, soak chestnuts for 1 minute.
5. Pat dry and transfer to a medium bowl. Add rosemary, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Toss to coat and transfer to baking sheet. Arrange in a single layer. Gather the edges of the foil together, leaving an opening at the top.
6. Roast until peels curl up, about 30–45 minutes. 7. Transfer to a platter and serve while hot or warm.
Inspired by Bon Appétit
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