The cold breeze, colorful leaves, and smell of cinnamon, but for many, nothing compares to the taste of seasonal pumpkin flavors.
On Aug. 26, Starbucks released its popular seasonal pumpkin flavor, as did other coffee shops. At West Chicago Community High School, students often stop for their daily coffee before class, going through drive-thrus or waiting in line at school. The seasonal flavors have given some an extra reason to look forward to mornings.
The mix of sweetness and caffeine has made pumpkin spice a sought-after favorite, with students frequently arriving through door 1 carrying Starbucks cups. Starbucks has offered pumpkin spice since 2003. This year has record-breaking sales in the U.S. Approximately, Starbucks has sold 20 million pumpkin spice lattes, according to NBC News.
“I feel like it’s like the main topic of the whole fall season, and it’s really trendy,” Kailey Antonio, junior, said.
As fall approaches, excitement builds around coffee shops to release their seasonal fall drink to customers. Peter Dukes, who was the leader of Starbucks beverages, invented its first-ever seasonal fall drinks after they had done their Christmas. This causes other coffee shops like Dunkin’ Donuts to have seasonal fall drinks on their menu. Pumpkin had expanded an autumn symbol into the coffee world. It made people feel the excitement when autumn was around the corner, seasonal coffee beverages would come as well.
“I love pumpkin stuff. In my Asian culture, we eat pumpkin porridge during this time,” Thang Thang, senior, said.
Even if pumpkin is popular in coffee beverages and carving traditions in the United States, it also holds significance in other cultures because of its rich history. Pumpkin is especially important in Asian cultures, with China being the world’s second-largest producer. Pumpkin has been used in many different ways, from savory dishes to sweet desserts. During the Chinese New Year, pumpkin is a common snack because it symbolizes hope for good fortune. It has also been valued for its health benefits, especially for digestion.
“That was the most delicious drink I’ve ever had. I let three of my classmates try it, and they all said that was their next order,” Arreola said.
On TikTok, “try with me” videos featuring seasonal fall drinks such as pumpkin spice lattes, caramel apple cider, and maple-flavored coffees often gain viral popularity.
In these engaging clips, influencers and everyday users share their genuine experiences as they taste and review various autumn-inspired beverages. The visually appealing shots of frothy drinks and the enthusiastic reactions of the tasters not only capture the viewers’ attention but also awaken their cravings for seasonal flavors.
As users share their personal recommendations and reactions in real-time, these drinks help the pumpkin flavors become a fan favorite on coffee shop menus every fall.