In a sign that summer is truly almost over and the fall season is quickly creeping up on us, pumpkin spice is back.
The unofficial flavor of fall is already flooding store shelves while the official first day of fall is still over a month away.
From pumpkin spice air fresheners and candles to coffee, ice cream and cereal, the items are slowly emerging to replace the flavors of summer.
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7-Eleven was the first retailer to kick off the pumpkin spice season -- on August 1 -- with the debut of the first-ever pumpkin spice-flavored Slurpee, along with the return of its pumpkin-inspired coffee options.
On Monday, Krispy Kreme started serving its fall menu, complete with its beloved pumpkin spice cake doughnut and pumpkin spice latte.
"It's August and we're all ready for pumpkin spice, somehow. So, we're bringing back the classics you're craving," Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme Global Chief Brand Officer, said in a statement.
At Tim Hortons, pumpkin spice drinks are back early -- exclusively for rewards members who order on the app. Everyone will be able to order them after August 20.
IHOP also unveiled its fall menu, which includes pumpkin spice pancakes, pumpkin spice cold foam cold brew and maple pumpkin cheesecake-flavored pancakes -- though you'll have to wait until September 1 to order these dishes.
Starbucks announced that its pumpkin spice flavored coffees and creamers have returned to grocery stores shelves nationwide, but it hasn't said when it will start serving its fall lineup in stores.
Same goes for Dunkin', which also has an adult twist on the flavor with its new boozy spiked pumpkin spice iced latte, available in grocery stores across 27 states.
Researchers recently have aimed to uncover why we are so fond of pumpkin spice. As previously reported by Audacy News, our brains are basically hardwired to give in to the appeal of pumpkin spice.
"Pumpkin spice aromas emerge in the fall in shops and cafes, coinciding with the arrival of colorful leaves, family gatherings, and back-to-school bustle," perception researcher Jason Fischer explained. "The association that the smell has with the season in our memories allows it to powerfully evoke the refreshing feelings of fall."
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