Pumpkin Spice Latte is NOT the Boss of Me
Pumpkin Spice is NOT the boss of me.
I’m not opposed to what PSL represents- I am a seasonal girl. Long ago, in a time before internets and Youtubes, my mom embraced the seasons by decorating our house festively and she passed the love for it onto me.
Each season had its own special decor and that decor didn’t come out until the time was right. We didn’t jump start things by throwing it all out earlier than necessary. There was anticipation. Appreciation.
And to this day, I believe that waiting until the season is upon us makes enjoying it so much more special.
These days, there is so much exposure to the holidays for so long, that it takes away the anticipation and the magic it used to have. It’s no longer special because it’s out for so long that no one cares by the time it gets here. Makes my heart wrinkle just a bit.
And this leads me to the puzzling phenomena of pumpkin spice. Pumpkin Spice Latte or PSL to be more specific.
What’s the big deal?
Why does pumpkin spice get to announce fall? In August? August which is the hell-fire pit of summer.
Because Starbucks said so????
I don’t think so…
Fall is my favorite season, but I don’t think pumpkin spice is the end all be all spice to represent it. And Starbucks isn’t the boss of me.
Loong before ole ‘buck’s got their hooks into the mass media, there was a love for cinnamon, maple, and how about caramel? Now those are the flavors that truly embody fall for me.
I’d be more excited to hear about them….but honestly, I don’t want to hear about that deliciousness until it’s actually- I don’t know – FALL?????
While I am still swatting at vicious, high-on-humidity mosquitoes and coaxing the last of my garden veggies into making it through the oppressive heat whilst not keeling over from heatstroke myself, the last thing on my mind is to start thinking about PSL. Don’t push the future on me while I am soaked to the skin enjoying the last of my summer. The time is not yet upon us! Hold yer darn horses ye presumptuous patrons!
Truly I don’t want every fall coffee I have to be a pumpkin spice. Give me a cinnamon dolce latte, a maple pecan or a butter pecan latte, a s’mores iced coffee ANY DAY over that PSL phffff.
And while I’m on this thought- let me go a little further- What’s the big deal with BUYING a fall coffee? I’m all for supporting local coffee shops. They have that unique vibe that makes it a great place to meet up and maybe journal, create some art or just people watch. And I have been known to pick up a coffee from the Starbies or even from Dunkin.
It’s good, I’ll give you that, but each time I pull away I can’t help but thinking- I could make this at home for next to nothing.
It’s not that hard or expensive to make a fall flavored coffee yourself. All you need is a coffee pot (you probably have one of these at home), a frother (handheld or an electric contraption- not too expensive), milk, coffee, spices and some flavored syrups. For what you pay for all that, you’ll have flavored coffees for days and weeks to come. If you think ahead, you can even take the last of the coffee from the pot and pour it into ice cube trays. THAT will make for an excellent iced coffee that doesn’t get watered down!
Who knew that mixing cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice then throwing it in a cup with coffee and foamy milk would take over the Universe as we know it come the end of August and create a craze for Fall like no other flavor????
I’ve got to hand it to you Starbucks- you sure have run a successful campaign. But let me tell YOU something- there are those of us out there on the fringe- UNfluencers- who think your PSL is overhyped and underwhelming. That’s right. I typed it…
You aren’t the boss of me- now excuse me while I whip up a fall coffee (now that it is actually FALL).
Don’t mind me over here dissolving some brown sugar and maple syrup in milk and frothing that into some sweet foamy goodness. Pouring that over coffee ice cubes and some coffee. Giving it a lil’ swirl and then sipping in satisfaction.
No line necessary.
Here are some recipes you can try yourself:
Love this article, and thanks for the recipes. I completely agree!