Fall is finally here, the season to carve jack-o’-lanterns, tailgate (for some teams who are still playing) and drink pumpkin spice lattes. This drink has become a staple for the holiday season because of its burnt orange color and association with pumpkins, the epitome of fall.
Starbucks, Arnaud’s Bon Santé and Sipsy’s are three local cafés and coffee shops in Huntsville that offer the PSL, yet it isn’t very popular among some students at Sam Houston State University.
Senior criminal justice major Italia Campuzano said she does not like PSLs because they can be overpowering.
“I think it’s been made out to be the greatest taste during fall, but I’d much rather smell it than taste it,” Campuzano said. “I prefer mochas, such as white mocha, when drinking coffee if I buy from a coffee shop.”
With the pumpkin spice topping being made with ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg, PSLs are meant to be somewhat bitter. However, the mix of pumpkin and cinnamon sweet syrups are used to counteract the topping and make the drink more enjoyable.
Junior psychology major BrookeLyne Rogers said she tried a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks and was not a fan, despite how exciting people make it out to be.
“The pumpkin spice flavor was very overpowering and artificial tasting,” Rogers said. “The actual coffee flavor was diluted, so instead of enjoying a fall-infused cup of joe, I felt like I was sipping on a barista’s accidental mistake of poor coffee to flavoring ratio.”
No matter whether you’re a fan or critic, pumpkin spice lattes have been a staple of autumn for years now, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere soon.