It’s that time of year again! The weather is cooling down, students are sharpening their pencils after summer break, pants and jackets are making a reappearance...it can only mean one thing: Pumpkin Season is upon us.
With the dawn of autumn comes the age-old questions that beguile us annually: How early is too early for a PSL? Is any product safe from the spice? Is there such a thing as too much pumpkin?
Spoon University has set out to find the answers and ensure that your autumn is adequately pumpkin-spiced.
The Official Start of Pumpkin Season:
It seems as though Pumpkin Season has already started, and earlier than ever. Starbucks and Dunkin’ have already dropped their fall-flavored drinks, and pumpkin products have already been spotted on the shelves of major retailers — I was simultaneously shocked and thrilled when I saw Green Mountain Pumpkin Spice K-Cups at my local Target this past weekend.
CNN reported that many major grocery chains and retailers will be rolling out their seasonal products anywhere from two to four weeks earlier than usual, largely due to the uncertainty of a “normal” holiday in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Eagle-eyed Trader Joe’s shoppers who are eagerly awaiting fall products have spotted signs in their local TJs that deem Sept. 7 as the start of the grocery chain’s Pumpkin-Palooza.
Pumpkin Spice Lattes:
Starbucks officially dropped their infamous Pumpkin Spice Lattes on Tuesday, Aug. 24 — the earliest release date for fall drinks yet. In addition to the PSL, fall-aholics can enjoy the new Apple Caramel Macchiato, as well as bakery classics including the Pumpkin Loaf and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin.
Dunkin’ is already on it. They dropped their autumn flavors nationwide last Wednesday, and are even offering a promotion on their Signature Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Pumpkin Cold Brew through the second week in September. Pumpkin and coffee are not your thing? Dunkin’ has you covered with their new, non-coffee Apple Cranberry Dunkin’ Refresher so you can still soak up the flavors of fall.
Looking to make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte at home? Starbucks has already announced their fall line, which includes Maple Pecan and Pumpkin coffee in both ground and K-Cup pod form, and will be available in grocery stores nationwide. For the time being, though, Coffee Mate’s Pumpkin Spice Liquid Coffee Creamer has been spotted on Walmart Shelves. If you’re plant-based or dairy-free, Califia Farms offers an almond and coconut milk-based Pumpkin Spiced Almond Creamer that is sure to give you all the fall feels.
If coffee isn't your thing, Mott’s has announced the release of Hot Apple Cider K-Cups, so that you can make the single-serving warm fall drink of your dreams. If you prefer tea for your daily dose of caffeine, Celestial Seasonings offers a Sweet Harvest Pumpkin Black Tea so that you aren’t left out of the seasonal celebrations.
Pumpkin Products:
Pumpkin Spice Ramen is officially a thing. Though my immediate reaction is something along the lines of “WTFall”, if you think about it, it sounds kinda...good? There’s something cozy about the idea of pumpkin spice, and I love hot ramen on a cold day. Who knows, pumpkin spice could be the new spicy miso!
In other pumpkin news, the snack food that Americans love to hate is bringing the fall feels to a classic: Twinkies have announced the return of their limited edition Pumpkin Spice Twinkie, as well as a Spooky Twinkie that consists of a chocolate sponge cake and S’cream filling.
My/Mochi has taken over the grocery store aisles and hearts of ice cream lovers everywhere this summer, and will continue its quest to capture our hearts with two limited edition fall flavors: Pumpkin Spice and Apple Pie a la Mode. (FYI: Mochi is a traditional Japanese dessert consisting of rice cake pounded into a paste and shaped, in this case, into little ice cream-holding pouches. Yum.)
For those 21 and older, you can celebrate the season a few different ways. Blue Point Ale is brewing their Mother of Pumpkin Ale for beer lovers; grocery chain Aldi will be releasing a Pumpkin Pie Hard Cider on Sept. 19; and Pinnacle will be returning with their limited edition Pumpkin Spice Vodka. Not into pumpkin but still looking to ~spice~ up your drinks? Try limited-edition Apple Pie Baileys Irish Whiskey.
Want to let your dog in on the fall fun? Greenies is releasing a Pumpkin Spice Dental Dog Treat for your pumpkin-loving pooch.
Stay tuned for more fall content from Spoon University. It's time to Pumpkin Spice up your life!