The Color of Fall 2019 Has Arrived—& We're Obsessed

As we reluctantly part ways with summer and begin to brace ourselves for the colder, darker months we know so well, we return to our autumnal habits. We sip hot lattes and hearty soups; we coordinate our time outdoors with the amber glow of a sleepier sun; we loaf around the house while cloaked in a cozy blanket. We are creatures of warmth, and during this time of year, we cling to it like there’s no tomorrow.

No surprise, then, that we’re grabbing onto orange—a color that mimics nature’s October palette and evokes just that: warmth.

There are plenty of sunny, earthy oranges we’ll be happily inviting home with us this season: hues like terra-cotta, saffron, copper, tangerine, honey, and maple are gracing all of our favorite products, from clothing to home goods.

But if there’s one shade of orange that we really just can’t get enough of right now, it’s turmeric.

Turmeric (meaning, the spice that inspires the hue) is a rhizome—aka a rootstalk—native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. A cousin to ginger, it’s a warm spice typically found dried and ground. In addition to having long been employed for its medicinal qualities (it contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory), turmeric is a key component in many curry powders, to which it lends a deep aroma, peppery flavor, and vibrant color. Turmeric is also used as a natural food dye, and we’ve seen it turn everything from oat-milk lattes to cauliflower giardiniera (those classic Italian pickled veggies) an iridescent, unmistakably turmeric, hue.

That natural-dying prowess isn’t limited to food; it works on fabric, too. And this fall, we’ve found an exciting new use for our favorite color: cookware. Enter our exclusive, limited-edition Food52 x Staub Turmeric Collection. It’s the joyous result of a creative collaboration in honor of our 10th anniversary, and as it turns out, turmeric is something of an enamel superstar.

We got to the bottom of its success with ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Chief Marketing Officer Joanna Rosenberg, who oversees the Staub collection. “The richness of turmeric is enhanced by the cookware’s multi-layered enamel, giving the finish an incredibly warm, glossy, and vibrant glow,” she explained. The collection includes Staub’s beloved cocotte, plus a range of pots and pans that will easily tackle any autumn farmers’ market haul.

Also at the top of our list? Products by felt-focused brand Graf Lantz, like this Canvas Wine Carrier (hello, cozy reds) and these Felt Placemats (perfect for a leisurely dinner with friends). Co-founder Daniel Lantz let us know the Graf Lantz turmeric is a custom shade developed in collaboration with their Bavarian felt mill, and inspired by concepts like light and warmth.

“We wanted something reminiscent of the glow of light on salty concrete, or of candles lighting a cozy gathering,” says Lantz.

Of course, we’re also partial to the shade’s cousins. Take, for example, Hawkins New York's Stonewashed Linen Pillow in terra-cotta, or the Handblown Chroma Glassware in honey.

Combine these oranges, and you’ll be one step closer to a cozy night in, complete with favorite films and classic cocktails—not to mention a softer, easier entry into fall.

What's your favorite hue for fall 2019? Let us know in the comments!