Pumpkin spice lattes are already brewing in Philly
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The leaves may still be green and the temperatures blazing, but America's favorite fall flavor is already brewing.
Why it matters: The great pumpkin spice arms race is real.
What's happening: For people who just can't wait until fall, we are in "Augtober" and Summerween — when Halloween meets the summer heat and autumnal flavors creep into menus across the country.
Flashback: The pumpkin spice craze was born 23 years ago, when Starbucks debuted its Pumpkin Spice Latte — PSL, for short — in 2003.
Between the lines: Pumpkin spice isn't just a flavor — it's big business.
- Starbucks' PSL alone pulls in around $500 million every season, according to MarketWatch.
By the numbers: Last fall, PSL demand spiked on Aug. 19, nearly two weeks earlier than it did in 2021, per DoorDash data.
- And searches for "pumpkin spice" in July increased by 49% this year, according to Yelp data.
When is pumpkin spice season 2025
Weeks ago, the unofficial season began in grocery aisles.
- Now, it's debuting at restaurants with brands slowly launching products.
- Trader Joe's traditionally has launched pumpkin spice products by mid-September.
When is pumpkin spice available at places like Starbucks
On Monday, La Colombe begins offering its pumpkin spice latte and draft latte at its cafes.
- Freebie: The first 30 people in line for a pumpkin spice drink at each Philly cafe that day will get a free seasonal pumpkin pastry with their purchases.
Krispy Kreme's Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut, PSLs and pumpkin coffee are now available.
- And IHOP is already offering pumpkin pancakes.
Aug. 26 is when Starbucks' fall menu debuts, four days later than last year's earliest ever release.
- Dunkin' hasn't announced when it switches to the fall menu but food blogger Markie Devo reports that Dunkin's fall menu is expected to drop Aug. 20.
Here's some other dates we're pump-kinned about:
Aug. 27: Return of Denny's Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes.
Aug. 29: Dairy Queen's Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat is back.
The intrigue: There are even limited-edition dog treats in the seasonal flavor.
- For the record, the fall equinox is Sept. 22.