Pumpkin Spice Pops Up In 1947 Yiddish Forverts Pie Recipe

A 1948 advertisement in the Forverts featured a recipe for coconut pumpkin chiffon pie. The full ad is below. Image by Forward Association
Sign up for Forwarding the News, our essential morning briefing with trusted, nonpartisan news and analysis, curated by Senior Writer Benyamin Cohen.
I would have sworn that the pumpkin-spice megatrend was started by Starbucks. But I would have been wrong.
In an ad for condensed milk that appeared in the November 17, 1947 issue of the Forverts, alongside a recipe for coconut pumpkin chiffon pie, is ad copy says, “If you like pumpkin spice flavored pie…”
The main copy, translated by Forward archivist Chana Pollack, says the following:
New! Coconut Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
This pie is a multitasker!
If you like pumpkin spice flavored pie and the refreshing taste of coconut cream pie — then you’ll love this wonderful combination of coconut and pumpkin with a ‘chiffon’ lightness. No need to bake on Thanksgiving day! This pie is made the day before and then placed in the ice-box until ready to serve. The flavor deepens the longer it’s chilled, emboldening the pumpkin spice goodness of the filling.
Richer flavor — less cost!
The full ad is below.

Image by Forward Association
Liza Schoenfein is the food editor of the Forward. Contact her at [email protected] or on Twitter @LifeDeathDinner