Market Street Blog

Fun Facts About Pumpkins

Written by Market Street | Sep 3, 2020 2:58:37 PM

Fall is in the air and we couldn’t be more excited! We’re welcoming back all of the delicious pumpkin products and other fall flavors. Here are some fun facts about everyone’s favorite fall food:

  • Pumpkins are a type of squash and are a member of the gourd family and are typically enjoyed in the fall and winter months. There is debate over if pumpkins are a vegetable or a fruit, but because they are a product of the seed-bearing structure of flowering plants, they are technically a fruit. 
  • Pumpkins can grow much larger than the ones you typically see in stores or at an average pumpkin patch. Every year, contests are held to see who can grow the largest pumpkin. The world record is well-over 2,000 pounds! The farmer who grows the largest pumpkins can win cash prizes. 
  • When you think about pumpkins, most people also think about pumpkin spice. Pumpkin spice is typically made for pumpkin pie and other delicious fall treats, but the spice itself doesn’t contain any pumpkin or pumpkin flavor. It is made with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. 
  • Have you carved a pumpkin before? Carving Jack-O-Lanterns is a popular Halloween tradition that originated in Ireland. They wanted to light the way to their homes for the good spirits, so they carved faces into vegetables such as turnips and squash. When Irish immigrants came to the United States pumpkins were easier to find and substituted.

We hope you enjoy these fall season and all things pumpkin! Be sure to check out all of our fall flavors in-store or online