I grew up eating Madame Francis never notice a pumpkin taste....it definitely has that spicy taste but closer to anise rather than cinnamon.
I am looking forward to next year to try the taste again of the Madame Francis as I previously have not liked a licorace taste and don't remember it ...I found on wiki:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anise "Its flavor has similarities with some other spices, such as star anise,[4] fennel, and liquorice." .... I don't remember a liquorice taste in mine the past 2 years, Is that the anise taste you are use to when eating Madame Francis?
I have not made pumpkin pie and I had to ask my wife as to what spices she uses in the pie that I usually eat. She said nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, or allspice.
I think mine had tasted more of the other mentioned herbs with sugar and less to maybe a hint of cinnamon but I will be happy to try again next year. Many spices together = many taste choices.
Is liquorice the best choice in describing the anise taste mentioned or is there another commonly eaten food with anise that would better describe the taste perceived? But once again, many herbs together = many tastes perceived.
googled this site:
https://www.thekitchn.com/tastes-like-licorice-how-many-122526 "how many common spices, herbs, and even veggies there are that have the same licorice-y anise flavor as, well...anise? This came up in conversation at a dinner party recently and we couldn't believe how many there were once we started thinking about it!
Here's what what we came up with:
1. Anise (of course!)
2. Star Anise
3. Fennel - bulb, fronds, and seed
4. Basil
5. Chervil
6. Caraway
7. Tarrago"