My good friend this afternoon brought to my attention this Starbucks video about a rural community who is crazy excited for the launch of Pumpkin Spice Latte. Check it out! 

Just yesterday I was telling someone else about how we have it in the stores already, but are not selling it yet. I am forced to tell eager, sometimes desperate customers that they still have to wait another week while, in all actuality, the bottle of this bright orange nectar is right next to me behind the bar! Is that terrible? But I can’t do anything about it! Seasonal drinks are in fact a huge culture within the Starbucks community of consumers and partners, alike. More, of course for consumers. Personally, when I see bottles of Pumpkin Spice lining our shelves, two things come to mind. 1. Oh my word, its that time of year already? 2. Ah, yes, it’s that time of year already.

While I’m making drinks lately, I can smell the Pumpkin Spice and it brings forth images of fall. Seriously. If I may, just for a moment, share what happens to my senses when this seasonal fav comes back.  I picture crunchy leaves blowing across the parking lot outside my Starbucks store; I feel the cool fall air that blows in when customers walk through the door; I imagine scarves and warm drinks cupped in people’s gloved hands; slowly the colors inside our store begin to change from the brightness of summer tea and Frappuccino propaganda to the warm tones promoting Pumpkin Spice, Hot Chocolate and Chai. This is an exciting time of year, no doubt about it!

When people find out that Pumpkin Spice is available, they quite often squeal in delight. This is true. Then they grovel about how it has been so long since last season and they have been awaiting this day since we took it off the shelves last winter. Jumping up and down, waving their hands in delight, giggling, singing a tune… But seriously, Pumpkin Spice lasts a long time, sometimes its March before its all gone. People get to have this stuff for a while!

(I so badly wish this was my pic, but its not. I found it on this thing called the internet. I’m delighted that I did, however, because it brings home my point with precision!)

Is it really the flavor of Pumpkin Spice that gets people all gitty at our register over this seasonal gem? Could it be that it represents a lovely fall time of year that they get excited for? Could it be that it makes them realize that Christmas Blend is on the horizon? That’s it for me. I love me a good Christmas Blend! I certainly can appreciate a pumpkin spice white mocha…let me clarify…a short, one pump Pumpkin Spice, one pump white mocha latte, but I know what’s coming in about eight weeks-give or take. That’s when you’ll see me shamelessly providing the entertainment the Starbucks register!