Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin Spice
English 101
Professor Stevens
September 6, 2022
Every Starbucks lover knows that late August to early September is one of the best times of year; the very
start of the pumpkin spice season. With the pumpkin spice lattes to the pumpkin scones, the pumpkin just
keeps coming. The long awaited first sip of this fall classic unofficially starts the fall season for many.
Everyone rushes to their local Starbucks to purchase their six dollar autumn must-have, whether if thats
because of the flavor, the fact that it is seasonal, or its popularity and stereotypes.
It’s the taste of the hot or iced starbucks “signature espresso”, streamed milk of your choice, with the
warm flavors of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg mixed with the real pumpkin flavor on a cold fall morning
that really starts the day off right. It’s not just the pumpkin spice lattes that everyone loves though, there’s
so many more options to fulfill your pumpkin needs. You can customize your favorite drinks with
pumpkin foam, like my personal favorite, an iced white mocha with pumpkin cold foam. There’s also a
pumpkin cream cold brew, which is the Starbucks cold brew with vanilla syrup topped with the pumpkin
foam and sprinkle of pumpkin spice dust. In addition, there’s pumpkin scones and the pumpkin cream
cheese muffin. Although it is not seasonal, the pumpkin loaf is another fan and personal favorite. This
flavoring is so popular that there are Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Coffee (both regular and dairy free)
creamers, canned Pumpkin Cream Starbucks Nitro Brews, Starbucks Pumpkin Spice K-Cups, Starbucks
Pumpkin Spice Ground coffee, Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Cold Brew Concentrate, and bottled Iced
Pumpkin Spice Lattes sold in grocery stores giving customers the ability to have their PSL in their very
own homes. These are all limited edition just as the pumpkin spice in stores but gives you the opportunity
to get the same warm flavor at home rather than making a trip to Starbucks everyday.
Unfortunately, pumpkin spice is seasonal, meaning it is only in stores for a limited time. It typically starts
late August or early September and lasts until the end of Thanksgiving, but the exact dates are different
every year. Although this might sound disappointing, it may be the sole cause of its popularity. Many say
that if pumpkin spice was sold year round, it might not be as popular. Pumpkin spice latte fans start off
this fall season with this drink making this time of year that much better. The many Instagram
countdowns, and anticipation for the release date really extenuate the excitement for this flavored drink.
Without that countdown for pumpkin spice, fall might not be as idolized or favored. This might play into
the role of why some people may dislike it just as much as people love it.
With everything, not everyone loves pumpkin spice. It might not be just because of the flavor though.
Pumpkin spice lattes are commonly labeled as “feminine” and “basic”. These stereotypes may be the
reason why they are so liked as well as disliked as they may deter customers. People may experience
anxiety if they are not considered “normal” so these people may force themselves to like pumpkin spice
lattes to be “a part of the group.” Vice versa, some people may hate PSLs because they do not want to be
a part of these labels. Because it is labeled as “girly”, most commonly, boys and young men won’t
purchase this drink. This doesn’t make it less popular though, it just means it's not ordered as much as it
could be if it weren't for these stereotypes. Some people may also not like pumpkin or pumpkin spice.
Many people just like the pumpkin pastries and not the drinks, or they like the pumpkin foam but not the
pumpkin spice lattes. Regardless, like all things, pumpkin spice doesn’t have to be for everyone. Like
they say, more for us pumpkin lovers.
Fall is a common favorite season for many for many reasons, but pumpkin spice is definitely a main
reason. The flawless, distinct, flavor and its faint orange color makes it pretty difficult to confuse the
pumpkin spice latte with any other drink. Get it iced or hot, tall or venti, it is still just as much of an
autumn staple for so many people just as it was a few years ago. As of today, pumpkin spice is in your
local Starbucks stores so get them while supplies last. Regardless of the flavor, the fact that it is seasonal,
or its popularity and stereotypes, you should at least get to try this fall favorite once in your life and make
a decision for yourself.