What’s the deal with pumpkin spice Drinks?

Horsley documents his pumpkin spice experience with a selfie. Photo courtesy of C.Horsley/Setonian
Horsley documents his pumpkin spice experience with a selfie. Photo courtesy of C.Horsley/Setonian

Every fall, I see commercials on the television and hear ads on the radio about pumpkin drinks. I swear that everyone in America loves them. Okay, that’s an exaggeration. Not everyone is obsessed with the drink, but it is very popular.

Before taking on this assignment, I never had a pumpkin spice latte. So, I went to the most basic coffee shop known as Starbucks to investigate. I pulled up to the window and ordered a pumpkin latte.

I thanked the cashier, then grabbed the latte. I examined the drink with hesitation. I rolled up my sleeves and got down to business. When, I took my first gulp I thought, “Oh my. Why am I drinking this latte that doesn’t have any real pumpkin?” then, I said, “Oh yes, this is my job.”

Even though I adore pumpkin pie and pumpkin roll I am not a fan of the pumpkin spice latte. I must admit that I am more of a mocha fan and I believe that mochas are superior to these so called pumpkin lattes, but I digress.

I thought the price was too expensive. The pumpkin spice latte was about $4.25 for a medium size cup. The taste of the drink reminded me more of a cinnamon flavor than a pumpkin flavor.
I tried another pumpkin spice latte a week later, but I got it from GetGo. It was only about another dollar. The drink was too sweet, but it actually tasted like pumpkin. I could say that I enjoyed it, but that would be lying.

I investigated some more into this fad by asking a professor and a couple of students their opinions on pumpkin spice lattes. Accounting professor Dr. Mahady said, “I have never been a fan of pumpkin flavored food. Perhaps the only exception are the pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing from the Pie Shop in Laughlintown. That said, I do like Jack-O-Lanterns at Halloween.”

I talked to fellow sports management major Martina Milclic about pumpkin lattes. She said, “I love pumpkin spice lattes not only for their taste, but for their introduction to the fall season.” Martina went on to tell which Starbucks she prefers to go to. “I go to the one in Greensburg or the one in North Huntington by my house,” said Milclic.

Transfer student Emilie Bradley said, “I like pumpkin spice lattes depending on where they come from, for example I don’t like the pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks, but I love when the pumpkin spice latte is back at Sheetz.”

Lastly, I asked Kelsey Greco her thoughts on the subject. She is not pro-pumpkin spice coffee. “I do not like the flavoring of pumpkin in my coffee. I like pumpkin pastries, but I am just not a fan of the pumpkin spice flavoring.”

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