October, the tenth month of the year in both the older Julian and the current Gregorian calendar, was the 8th month (Latin octo) in the ancient Roman calendar, but with the addition of January and February, it got bumped to #10.
This month is significant because, according to the modern Gregorian calendar, it is the first full month that enjoys Pumpkin Spice Latte, initially promoted by St. Starbucks.
Or at least that’s the way it’s supposed to be. But it has not always been so; in some years, it is not so.
Therein lies the saga of this coffee concoction.
Origin of Pumpkin Spice Latte
This concoction of caffeinated seasoned squash with super-heated supersaturated calcium lactose was originally socialized during the ancient part of this millennium, around 2003, when it was introduced as a seasonal beverage. Its formulation has not always been the same, however. In 2015 Starbucks added real pumpkin ingredients, a novel concept, and some artificial flavors and colors were eliminated.
Date of the release of Pumpkin Spice Latte
The first day that this popular drink goes on sale has varied from year to year. This is related to but dissimilar to what is called Christmas Creep. Christmas shopping and decorations — back in more civilized times — used to go up the day after Thanksgiving; then it moved to immediately after Halloween, now you can find Christmas merchandise in Costco in September. And you can find 12-foot Halloween lawn skeletons in July. Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL), according to climate scientists, appears instead to suffer from PSL Drift.
Appearance of Pumpkin Spice Latte
Generally, it appears after Labor Day in September, but occasionally, it does not appear on the menu and must be requested by name. This year, it went on sale at various times across the country on August 22 (technically Summer, if you think about it), sometimes there is early access, some five days earlier for select customers, based on if they follow the magic account on X/Twitter (more later).
This is the earliest it has ever been available since the time of the Roman Empire:
Pumpkin Seasonal Confusion
PSL Drift is wreaking havoc with the beginning and end of Seasons. Drinks like Eggnog Latte and Peppermint Mocha were relatively well-behaved, confining themselves to Winter. PSL, on the other hand, is a “crossover” beverage covering both Winter and Fall… “for a limited time only.” That’s two seasons! And with this sneak into Summer… it’s becoming like DST (Daylight Saving Time), which now comprises most of the year.
PSL’s introduction each year has become the virtual harbinger of Fall, regardless of the astronomical and scientific importance of Autumnal Equinox in September or the changing of the Aspen leaves. And when we say Pumpkin Spice Latte, we do not, of course, literally mean milk, the translation of the Italian word latte. Starbucks makes some of its drinks available with Almondmilk or Oatmilk. Now you can be kind to a cow.
To add to the confusion, you need to be careful how you order it; you may not get the spicy hot cup’ o joe: it now comes as Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Drink, and Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew — the cold brew outsold the latte in recent years!
Pumpkin Contenders
But wait, in recent years, Dunkin’ Donuts announced that its fall menu launched on August 28 with Pumpkin with the possibility of 8 early cities changing their names from Dunkin’ to Pumpkin’. This year, they’ve added Dunkalatte.
Also, they announced an expansion of its ready-to-drink spiked ice coffee and tea line with Dunkin’ Spiked Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte. A donut shop that also sells coffee is marketing a 6% ABV drink?
Dunkin’ Spiked Pumpkin Spice. Dunkin’
And that’s not all: their partnership with Harpoon Breweries includes additional donut-infused beers like Boston Kreme Stout, Jelly Donut IPA, and Coffee Porter.
This serial success has led Dunkin’ to team up with Post Cereals to promote Dunkin’ Carmel Macchiato and Mocha Latte.
This year, they added Pumpkin Creme Cold Brew.
Dutch Brothers Coffee sells Pumpkin Frost, Pumpkin Cold Brew, Pumpkin Chai, and Pumpkin Pie Breve, but they’re not fooling anyone. It’s PSL War!
Pumpkin Proliferation
With over 424 million sold (shades of McDonald’s, which itself recently brought back its McCafe Pumpkin Spice Latte), an annual run-rate of 20 million cups, and sales of over $1.5B, PSL has become a cult — like buying Apple products. There is even an official Twitter account with 96 thousand followers: @TheRealPSL. It has its own hashtag: #PSL.
And let’s face it, when you’ve got your own hashtag, you’ve essentially made it.
But that’s not all. There are now pumpkin spice Listerine, ramen, liquor, M&Ms, Skittles, Peeps, Pringles, Crest, Oreos, Mini-Wheats, Cheerios, Philadelphia cream cheese, Twinkies, yogurt, ice cream, gelato, peanut butter, energy bars, cookie straws, candles, shampoo, butter, pretzel, deodorant, vitamins, dog food, and even spaghetti sauce.
The Pumpkin Spice Industrial Complex is now a $600 million market. Who knows, with Seasonal Beverage Fatigue, next, they’ll be putting this flavoring in pies.
Is nothing sacred?
Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian
billpetro.com