How the Pumpkin Spice Latte Went From an Experiment to a Fall Favorite

How the pumpkin spice latte went from an experiment to a fall favorite

For many, pumpkin spice lattes are a fall staple. Most coffee shops—local and chain—carry some version of a pumpkin spice latte. However, it is not widely known that Starbucks created the original pumpkin spice latte in 2003. In spring 2003, at the Seattle headquarters, a Starbucks team filled the "Liquid Lab," a secure research and development space, with gaudy fall decor. They also brought in pumpkin pies, and began brainstorming. The team was…

Pumpkin Spice: Why We Hate It, And Why SOme Love It

Pumpkin spice season is here again. The moment September rolls around, it feels like the world explodes in shades of orange, cinnamon, and nutmeg. And social media explodes into competing memes between people who love and hate this trend. But how did this fall flavour become such a cultural phenomenon...and why does it annoy the heck out of some people? Where Pumpkin Spice Began Pumpkin spice isn’t new. Its roots go back hundreds of years. The b…

You Won’t Believe What The Pumpkin Spice Latte Was Almost Named Instead

The creator of the now-infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte shares that Starbucks' fall drink almost went by a completely different name—the Fall Harvest Latte.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte Almost Didn’t Happen — And It Had a Way Lamer Name

Where would we even be without the PSL? Probably still pretending to like caramel macchiatos while hiding our plaid scarves in shame. But believe it or not, Starbucks’ most iconic drink — the Pumpkin Spice Latte — almost didn't make it onto menus. And when it did? It was this close to being called the Fall Harvest Latte. (Not exactly the hashtag-worthy vibe we know and love today.) Back in 2003… Starbucks wanted a cozy fall drink. Hundreds of id…

PSL Almost Had a Different Name—Starbucks Nearly Called It 'Fall Harvest'

It's hard to imagine autumn without the comforting aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove wafting from a Starbucks cup. Yet the now-iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL), which has become synonymous with the season, was once on the brink of being shelved and nearly bore a very different name: the 'Fall Harvest Latte'. The PSL was born in 2003, inside Starbucks' 'Liquid Lab', a top-secret research and development space on the seventh floor of its Seattle…