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Internet reacts as Starbucks debuts Pumpkin Spice Lattes Aug. 22

Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte is back earlier than ever, stirring strong opinions.

Published August 22, 2024 at 3:14pm by Mary Walrath-Holdridge

Starbucks Launches Pumpkin Spice Latte Earlier Than Ever

Starbucks has announced that the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) will be available starting Thursday, Aug. 22, marking its earliest launch ever. Alongside the PSL, the chain will offer a new Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai and other fall flavors, accompanied by a new line of cups and tumblers.

"Since its debut in 2003, the Pumpkin Spice Latte continues to be Starbucks' most popular seasonal beverage and is enjoyed by customers around the world," the company stated in a news release Wednesday.

The early arrival of the PSL has sparked polarized reactions online. Some celebrate the return, while others criticize its premature launch.

Pumpkin Spice Debate Heats Up Online

A 2022 study by the Joetta Di Bella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication at Montclair State University found that 55% of posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram about pumpkin spice in Sept. 2022 were positive, with only 8% negative and 37% neutral.

Despite the majority's enthusiasm, PSL critics are vocal. One popular X post with over 23,000 likes noted that summer technically lasts until Sept. 22, deeming the PSL rollout a month early. Others likened the ads to Halloween jump scares and compared the early introduction to premature Christmas decorating.

Meanwhile, PSL fans are enthusiastically sharing their excitement on social media. A 2022 report from Nielsen indicated that Americans spend about half a billion dollars annually on pumpkin spice products, with Starbucks selling 20 million Pumpkin Spice Lattes each year.

Even Starbucks employees have taken to social media, expressing their eagerness to serve the popular drink. Whether you love or hate the PSL, it’s clear that the beverage will dominate online conversations until the arrival of the peppermint mocha latte this winter.

Contributing: Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY