Pumpkin spice and everything nice

With Starbucks most popular seasonal beverage of all time in stores now, customers are at the peak of their happiness with the company’s fall tradition.

According to an article on the Starbucks website, the company introduced the pumpkin spice latte in 2003. Starbucks usually keeps the seasonal drink available from the first week of September until the last day of October.

Starbucks reports that Peter Dukes, the Starbucks’ director of espresso Americas, was the product manager who led the development of the pumpkin spice latte. Dukes said in the article on the Starbucks website that he never knew the drink would grow into how famous it is now.

Caleb Moushon, a sophomore marketing major, said he has been a fan of pumpkin spice ever since he tried it in middle school. He said his love for the drink continues to grow over time.

“The balance between spice and sweetness pulls together the notes of the coffee,” Moushon said.

Moushon said he has tried pumpkin spice from places other than Starbucks, and that no one else can get the balance of spices correct.

Faith Roberts, a junior journalism major, said she drinks pumpkin spice latte about three times a week. Roberts said the drink is the perfect blend of all the ingredients, especially for those who want a coffee drink during the fall time.

The Starbucks’ website states the pumpkin spice latte includes: brewed espresso, milk, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, topped with whipped cream, and pumpkin pie spices.

Roberts said when she is in too big of a rush to go to Starbucks that she will make coffee at home and add pumpkin spice creamer. She said it is a good way for people to get close to the same taste for a cheaper price.

She said since Starbucks introduced the drink, other companies have created pumpkin-spice inspired products because they noticed how big of a hit the drink was.

“I think since it was so good, people got on the bandwagon of it,” Roberts said.

A representative from J&B Coffee explained in a Facebook message that the pumpkin spice latte has been a popular drink for a few years now at their location.

They described that the store started carrying the drink year-round about three years ago because their customers were constantly asking for it.

“Many of us, in our industry, owe a lot to companies such as Starbucks for creating huge marking campaigns built around seasonal beverages,” the representative from the coffee shop stated in a Facebook message.

Olivia Nix, a freshman engineering major, is an associate at the Starbucks on campus at the Honors Hall. She said at least one-in-five orders for this time of year are for a pumpkin spice latte.

Even though the majority of customers order the drink hot, Nix said that depending on the weather, some order the drink cold as a Frappuccino or iced.

An article on the Starbucks website stated that the pumpkin spice latte is extremely customizable to meet each customers’ preference. They explained that popular customizations led to the addition of the pumpkin spice chai tea latte to the menu this season.

Chris Sharp, the assistant manager for Starbucks at the Honors Hall, said people get really excited for this time of the year because of pumpkin spice. Sharp said they have sold out of pumpkin spice once on campus since the store opened in August.

Even though pumpkin spice is not available year-round, Sharp said Starbucks will continue to sell excess inventory from their last stock of October until the product is sold out.

During this time, Starbucks also sells pumpkin spice products at grocery locations as an alternative to buying the drink at a Starbucks location.

On the web:

Peter Dukes information –

https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-first-pumpkin-spice-latte

Pumpkin spice ingredients –

https://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/espresso/pumpkin-spice-latte

Pumpkin spice customizations –

https://news.starbucks.com/press-releases/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-officially-returns-nationwide

Pumpkin spice fact sheet –

https://news.starbucks.com/facts/fact-sheet-starbucks-pumpkin-spice-offerings

Pumpkin spice grocery items –

https://news.starbucks.com/facts/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-products-coming-to-grocery-locations