Goodbye, Pumpkin

By Virginia Stewart

Few drinks bring about as many and as strong feelings as a Pumpkin Spice Latte. In a way, the arrival of fall flavors at coffee shops such as Starbucks and Opus is as poignant and meaningful as the first day of summer break. It has surpassed the simple label of a seasonal drink, morphing into a cultural marker for an entire demographic: college-aged women. Created by Starbucks in 2003, the PSL defines an entire season’s worth of flavors.

Scarcity and seasonal consumerism play a large part in this so-called “pumpkin craze.” When items are available only for a limited time, consumers rush to buy, consume, and enjoy them, motivated by the false sense of scarcity created by brands. Combined with the nostalgic, comforting, and blissful emotions associated with autumn, seasonal flavors such as the PSL become popular. Psychologically, that sense of “get it before it’s gone” makes pumpkin spice feel special, even urgent. Combined with the nostalgic, comforting, and blissful emotions associated with autumn, seasonal flavors such as the PSL become irresistible.

The craze has gone far beyond coffee. Step foot into a Trader Joe’s in October, and pumpkin is nearly unavoidable. From an assortment of baked goods to cream cheese, to even dog treats and hand cream, it seems pumpkin has infiltrated everything, regardless of edibility.

An important question remains: Are we too obsessed with pumpkin? Some would argue yes, but even those who do not enjoy the taste of pumpkin acknowledge its cultural importance. “I don’t like pumpkin myself, but I think people associate it more with the fall season than actually enjoying the flavor,” says Sydney Ramsey, a third-year student at UF. “If fall is someone’s favorite season, they’re more likely to lean into the flavors and symbols of it.”

On November 6, Starbucks will make the annual switch from pumpkin to peppermint, welcoming a new enthusiasm for winter flavors. From peppermint to gingerbread to toffee, the array of newly available flavors signals yet another cultural shift, though one that is not comparable to the cultural phenomenon of pumpkin spice. With hot mochas, chocolate curls, and festive cup sleeves, the change will be sudden and perhaps jarring, but it will occur all the same.

Goodbye for now, pumpkin spice. We will see you again in August 2026, when it is much too hot to mimic the cozy and breezy feelings of fall, and the cycle will repeat once again. Whether you love it, hate it, or simply tolerate the pumpkin craze, it is solidified in our collective calendar.