Aldi's Pumpkin Spice Cider Is Back And Instagram Couldn't Be Happier
The history of pumpkin spice dates back as far as 1934 when CNN says the minds behind spice maker McCormick and Company decided to release the unique blend with the hope of assisting people in baking superior pumpkin pies. For decades the spice lingered in relative obscurity, being used solely for its intended purpose. Then, in 2003, coffee giant Starbucks got its hands on some of the spice. It managed to turn it into not only a new kind of latte — but created a fever for pumpkin spice until it was in everything from SPAM to ramen.
Apple cider, on the other hand, has a history going back thousands of years, (per Smithsonian Magazine). Long before people began selectively breeding fruits for flavor, apples were nearly impossible to eat alone. They were simply too bitter. As people do when they find they can't eat something, they began figuring out how to turn the foul fruit into alcohol. This didn't enhance the flavor much, but after a mug or two, no one cared how it tasted.
These two touchstones of the fall season have been combined many times, but few versions arouse the celebration of flavor, price, and ease of use like the pumpkin spice cider that Aldi carries every year. It's back again, and Instagram is reveling in this autumnal joy.
Pumpkin spice cider to the rescue
There's actually a scientific reason that people can't get enough pumpkin spice. It's a combination of factors. As fall approaches, the days get shorter, which can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (per John's Hopkins Medicine). This is a condition that makes the sufferer depressed during the shorter months, due largely to a lack of sufficient sunlight exposure. Even those who don't have the disorder may find themselves slightly more tired or listless when autumn comes calling. Pumpkin spice can actually help combat these low moods, which is one reason it's the beloved flavor of fall.
Catherine Franssen, director of neuro studies at Longwood University in Virginia, explains via Live Science that we typically have good memories associated with pumpkin pie or similar treats that are consumed in fall. When we then smell pumpkin spice, this fall staple "taps into our sense of nostalgia," said Franssen. The result is a greater feeling of contentment.
This is evident by the response to Aldi's post on Instagram about its fall products. Commenters were quick to voice their approval. "The pumpkin spice sparkling cider is *amazing*!" crowed one person. "I am crazy about pumpkin spice food," chimed in another. Even before the smell or taste hits, pumpkin spice cider is already making people happier.