The second the first leaf falls from a tree, menus are flooded with pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pies and pumpkin spice cookies. Some people love it and some people hate it. The flavor and its aroma are aspects many associate with the season of autumn.
In Oct. 2023, Starbucks brought back the Pumpkin Spice Latte with its abbreviation, PSL, for the fall season. This jump-started the pumpkin spice apocalypse. Afterwards, many coffee shops also followed the trend.
“Pumpkin Spice Latte is my favorite,” senior Marko Joksovic said. “It’s this unique taste and such a vibe. When it’s fall, I’m like ‘OMG, pumpkin.’ It’s that nutty and aromatic smell that I really like. It makes me tingle and want to mingle.”
While some have intense feelings on this flavor, senior Kate Romalewski is simply okay with the taste in most foods besides coffee.
“I hate the pumpkin spice latte because I think it doesn’t taste like anything, but I love the pumpkin cream cold brew and pumpkin spice baked goods,” she said. “I just don’t like the blend of coffee and pumpkin, the flavors do not go well together.”
“I feel like pumpkin spice is a bit overrated sometimes, but I still like it. I think that people should be able to like or dislike it without judgment,” junior Abby O’Connor said.
With Halloween and Thanksgiving come various buildings decked out with rows of pumpkins. It may not come as a surprise people are tired of seeing them everywhere, even in food.
“I don’t believe in anything pumpkin, unless you’re carving one,” senior Sami Shubitz said.
Once you step on a leaf and hear that crunch, it signals the start of fall. However, for others, the moment pumpkin spice hits the menus and grocery stores, autumn has officially started for them. For all the avid pumpkin spice lovers, make sure to grab your lattes and pies before they leave the menus.
