The Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) has become synonymous with fall, eagerly anticipated by coffee enthusiasts each year. However, its journey to becoming the seasonal icon we know today was not without its uncertainties.
In 2003, Starbucks sought to introduce a new fall beverage that would capture the essence of the season.
Peter Dukes, the creator of the PSL, shared insights into the drink's inception, revealing that the team experimented with various flavours, including chocolate, caramel and pumpkin.
Despite initial market research indicating low customer interest in pumpkin-flavoured products, the uniqueness of the concept stood out. Dukes and his team decided to proceed with the pumpkin-flavoured beverage, alongside three other options.
The development process involved creating a fall-inspired atmosphere in the lab, complete with pumpkins and autumn leaves, to evoke the desired seasonal ambiance.
In a new interview with People, he recalled: "We started to brainstorm different ideas that would resonate in the fall seasonal time period."
Dukes said they came up with 'hundreds of ideas', noting that there 'were chocolate beverages and caramel beverages'.
"[We] quickly whittled down to 10 concepts that we wanted to bring forward to our customers with some paper concepts," he added.
The team experimented with combining pumpkin pie and espresso to achieve the perfect flavour profile. After refining the recipe, the next challenge was naming the beverage. Initially, he said the drink was slated to be called the 'Fall Harvest Latte'. However, the team opted for 'Pumpkin Spice Latte' to clearly convey the drink's flavour and appeal to customers' expectations.
"After discussions, we thought it was important that we were very clear and direct with our customers about what to expect when they taste it, because we knew that a potential hurdle was getting customers to try it," Dukes said.
"The spices played a crucial role: cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Adding the spice in that descriptor of the name was an important part of the development for the Pumpkin Spice Latte."
The PSL was introduced as a test item on October 10, 2003, in select stores in Vancouver and Washington, D.C. The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading to its nationwide launch the following year. Over time, the PSL has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, with dedicated social media accounts and a loyal fan base eagerly awaiting its seasonal return.
Reflecting on the drink's impact, Dukes expressed that the PSL embodies the warmth and nostalgia of fall, capturing moments like cosy gatherings and festive celebrations. Its enduring popularity underscores the power of innovation and the resonance of seasonal flavours with consumers.
Featured Image Credit: Emma Farrer/GettyTopics: Starbucks
Lara Owen