Climate Change Makes for an Uncanny Pumpkin Spice Season
Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte, a symbol of fall, is being released earlier each year in response to climate change and the increasing warmth of the autumn season.
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Posted 8/28/2023, 6:58:04 PM
eater.com
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Stock futures rose as investors cheered Nvidia's strong earnings report, with other chipmakers also seeing a boost, while Starbucks celebrates 20 years of its pumpkin spice latte with a new iced pumpkin cream chai latte.
Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) is back on the menu earlier than ever, with rival chains also jumping on the pumpkin trend, and this year, Starbucks is introducing new variations of the PSL including an iced drink and an alcoholic version.
Restaurants and retailers are releasing their pumpkin-themed food and beverages even earlier, with the number of limited-time pumpkin launches more than doubling in August 2022 compared to 2019, driven by profitability, consumer demand, and permission to push the boundaries of timing, according to Technomic.
Starbucks is offering a buy-one-get-one deal on fall-flavored drinks, including the Pumpkin Spice Latte, every Thursday afternoon in September for Starbucks Rewards members.
Starbucks spokesperson confirms that the recipe for the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew has not changed despite complaints on social media about the taste being different this year.