Everybody knows that fall has started when Starbucks launches its pumpkin drink lineup. While some people are still lounging by the pool in the hot sun, many have already lit their mahogany apple candles (cue Draco Tok), put on Hocus Pocus, and grabbed their pumpkin spice latte's. Of course, fans had to get their hands on a pumpkin spice latte the day it came it out-even though it's not officially fall until September 23rd! Starbuck's fall drinks were released on August 30th, 2022 which includes everybody's familiar favorite the pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin cream cold brew, pumpkin spice frappuccino, and the new apple crisp oat milk macchiato. However, fans have taken to TikTok to vent that they are unhappy with the drink this year and have noticed it's not how they remember. Many first impressions of the pumpkin spice latte were that it was very bitter, and didn't have much of a pumpkin flavor. Fans of the drink relayed their disappointment online and soon discovered many others had the same experience. So why does the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte taste different this year?
Recipe Change
An ex-Starbucks barista named Maria took to TikTok on her account to explain that the pumpkin spice latte tastes different because Starbucks has switched to "actual pumpkin ingredient" instead of their usual artificial pumpkin flavoring. According to Maria, Starbucks has also changed the recipe so that you actually get fewer pumps of flavoring. Maria says that she is going to start ordering her grande pumpkin spice latte with ten pumps of flavoring now to get back to the original taste. This is not only because consumers are getting less flavoring in the drinks, but because Maria also informs the public that Starbucks has switched its pumps to a kind that doesn't deliver as much flavoring as the old pumps. Although ten pumps sounds excessive, many agreed with her as they were not getting the desired notes of pumpkin in the latte. The video has since gained over 100k views on her account @maariamarmora. The comments under Maria's video showed mixed opinions, with one user adding "It's so much better this year," but the majority agreeing with Maria, "This is why I thought there was no flavor," one user commented.
Sugar Content
Fans are also taking notice of how much sugar is in the pumpkin spice latte, about 50 grams of sugar in a grande and 390 calories. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends consuming no more than 50 grams of sugar a day, so it's up to you if you want to keep drinking your daily pumpkin spice latte amid the latest PSL gossip! To each his own-do you think the infamous pumpkin spice latte tastes different this year?
Spoon Tip:
In order to achieve a delicious pumpkin drink that's not on the menu, ask for an iced or hot caramel macchiato but sub vanilla for pumpkin for a pumpkin macchiato! For a non-caffeinated alternative, order a chai tea latte with pumpkin cold foam on top.