Although autumn doesn’t officially start until September 22, the unofficial end of summer is always the day after Labor Day.

As the autumn weather starts to descend upon the Susquehanna Valley, it’s time to put away those flip-flops, ditch the shorts for long pants and prepare yourself for the invasion that’s on the horizon.

Pumpkin spice is coming.

This aromatic blend of spices takes on many forms and is nearly impossible to avoid.

From pumpkin spice-infused iced coffee, hummus, and soap, it makes one wonder when this spicy obsession started and why won’t it go away?

Do we really need seasonal Pumpkin Spice Twinkies or dog shampoo? I don’t want my dog smelling like something I eat, and I’m sure my dog would rather smell like a lazy dog and not a fresh-baked muffin.

When did a random handful of spices become the signature scent of autumn?

It began in 2003, and we have Starbucks to either thank or blame for the spicy craze.

It all started 18 years ago when Starbucks introduced the Pumpkin Spice Latte, and the world has never been the same.

Business analysts believe Starbucks’ tremendous success with the spiced-up latte enticed other businesses to hop onboard the spice wagon.

The pumpkin spice trend was gaining speed with a number of items hitting the market.

Pumpkin spice products like ice cream, donuts, cereal, and scented candles seemed to be everywhere.

How popular is Starbucks’ most successful fall beverage?

Since 2003 the coffee giant has sold, just in the USA, more than 500 million Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

Starbucks might have introduced many folks to pumpkin spice in 2003; however, spice company McCormick’s has been selling the spice blend since 1934.

If pumpkin spice is in such demand during the fall, why isn’t it a hot commodity the rest of the year?

Have you ever heard people raving about this spice mix in the springtime, with Easter dinner, or at a BBQ in the summer?

Nope. The obsession with the spice is a few months each year.

Typically, pumpkin spice is a simple mixture of allspice, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

The result is a flavor that’s slightly sweet with a warm spicy taste.

That flavor and aroma may be found in a host of products. Some of these spice creations sound good, others sound bad, and a few are just bizarre. Here’s just a sampling of items with that fall flavor.

Pumpkin spice kale chips, cough drops, Bigelow tea, oatmeal, bagels, Werther’s Soft Caramels, dog treats, Life Cereal, Land O’ Lakes Butter Spread, pancakes, coffee, Special K, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Cliff Bars, Pepperidge Farms Swirl Bread, beer, cakes, Little Debbie Pumpkin Rolls, Greek yogurt, Oreos, ice cream, coconut milk, Pop-Tarts, anti-bacterial soap, marshmallows, Jell-O, hummus, Nissi Cup Noodles, waffles, fig bars, donuts, and deodorant.

As if the list of items wasn’t odd enough, here are a few more.

Canned Spam, Beemster Gouda Cheese, Peeps, kitty litter, and KFC’s new pumpkin spice and feta wrap.

And for the folks that just can’t get enough of this autumn spice, Amazon sells pumpkin spice toilet paper priced around $7 a roll.

Nothing says or smells like fall than pumpkin spice-scented toilet paper.