Is it too early for pumpkin spice?

August 21, 2018 | 12:44 pm

Updated September 10, 2018 | 10:50 pm

There is a national beverage brawl happening and you need to be ready.

Next Tuesday, Aug. 28, will see the return of Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte…but not before Dunkin’ Donuts launches their versions on Monday, Aug. 27.

Pumpkin spice is the most popular flavor at both chains, and many customers come in solely for this seasonal beverage. It is so popular that many customers tweet, Instagram and Snapchat selfies with the first drink of the season.

September is the busiest month for the Owensboro’s Dunkin’ Donuts store, and the pumpkin spice latte is its biggest seller.

“We are generally slower in summer and then, once school starts back, we see more customers, but we really see more [customers] starting with the pumpkin spice latte,” Scott Walters, the store manager for the Starbucks on Frederica said. “It starts with the pumpkin spice and moves into more seasonal flavors for the holidays.”

“Pumpkin spice is definitely our most popular flavor,” said Dunkin’ Donuts manager Suni Patel. “The first week of September is when college students come more, and we have an influx for 2-3 weeks.”

This year, not only will Dunkin Donuts offer the popular latte, but pumpkin spice will also be available as a flavor for hot, iced, frozen and cold brew coffee, macchiatos, donuts, donut holes and pumpkin cream cheese muffins. Prepackaged coffee and K-cups will also be available in-store and online.

At Owensboro Starbucks locations, the pumpkin spice latte — PSL to the devotees — will be available on Aug. 28. The PSL costs more than the average specialty latte but it includes more flavors: pumpkin pie, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg.

The return marks the 15th anniversary of Starbucks’ PSL and is being released before September to kick off the fall season.

Pumpkin spice scones are the fall favorite in Starbucks pastries and the pumpkin spice chai tea is quickly becoming a favorite.

“Customers are really loving the pumpkin spice chai,” Walters said.

Starbucks will also offer ready-to-drink PSL, PSL-flavored ground coffee and K-cup pods for customers to brew at home.

August 21, 2018 | 12:44 pm

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