By Kailyn Turko and Kayla Raynak
On August 26 students lined up in the Smith Student Center (SSC) Starbucks for the release of their seasonal Fall Menu. Many individuals have different opinions on whether it is too early for pumpkin flavors or just the right time.
While some may disagree that it is too early for fall-related items, many individuals still showed their excitement for the release of these drinks.
Starbucks sells various fall items including the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino and the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin.
However, the most popular fall items include the Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Pumpkin Cream Chai, bringing in many customers for Starbucks.
Whether individuals say it’s fall or not, pumpkin and apple flavors are here for the season, being two of the most popular choices when it comes to fall-flavored items.
The Rocket recently conducted a survey asking students their thoughts on the Fall Menu at Starbucks.
Less than half of students who answered the survey actually visited Starbucks on the Fall Menu release day.
When asking SRU students their thoughts on seasonal flavors, it was evenly split between apple and pumpkin. Yet, 60% of students prefer apple pie over pumpkin pie.
This fall, Starbucks took a fan-favorite flavor off the menu, Apple Crisp. SRU students expressed their disappointment in the survey when they found out it would not be returning.
It has been replaced by the pecan flavor, which was offered for the first time in 2024. The flavor is a key component of the new direction the company is taking this fall season.
“I’m so sad about it. It was the only reason I still went to Starbucks instead of a local shop,” one SRU student said.
“SO UPSET I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT DRINK COMING BACK ALL YEAR,” another SRU student wrote in the survey.
Though, according to the survey, more than half of the SRU students still chose Pumpkin Spice Lattes over the Apple Crisp.
Hannah Powell, an SRU student who works at the SSC Starbucks talked about the Fall Menu and the pumpkin drink popularity.
“I do think they’re really good, I love pumpkin stuff, I get that part,” Powell said.
Powell talked about why she feels the pumpkin drinks are so popular.
“A lot of it ties into the way that seasons and trends change and go on. Through summer, we have the Summer Berry, but everyone’s just like, ‘okay I’m ready for pumpkin.’ In the colder months, people need more…comfort for food and drink, and pumpkin does that,” Powell said.
Powell was not working the first day of the Fall Menu release but feels the drink she makes the most is the Pumpkin Cream Chai.
“I feel like people don’t get as excited for winter drinks, but it kinda reminds me of the Red Cup craze,” Powell said.
Though the Apple Crisp flavor has been discontinued, Starbucks did release some new drinks, including the Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte and the Pecan Oatmilk Cortado.
“I think more people need to try the Pecan Oatmilk Latte, I think it’s really good. But Pumpkin Chai is just tried and true,” Powell said.
Most individuals who answered the survey have not tried the Pecan Oatmilk Latte yet.
“Yes [pumpkin is] overhyped, but I get it and [Starbucks is] our one place on campus to get a good treat,” Powell said.
“I love talking about this, Pumpkin Spice is overrated. It is like a cluster of Yankee Candle and Bath and Body Works in a cup. It is so overrated and so thick to drink…how do people willingly drink this? And every single fall they’re looking forward to it,” Mirco Alexander, an SRU student said.
Alexander tried the Pecan Oatmilk Latte for the first time.
“I like it, but it’s not something I would get,” Alexander said. “I usually get a matcha or something, but I like trying sometimes new things so I was just like, why not today?”
Alexander was asked if they feel it is too early to have fall items out.
“I don’t think so, because they’re starting Christmas already and we haven’t even hit Halloween or Thanksgiving, so it’s just pretty common now in my opinion,” Alexander said.
The majority of students felt that it is not too early for pumpkin items to be brought out.
“Never. It’s never too early for falling leaves, fluffy sweaters, and PSLs,” an SRU student said.
When looking for fall activities to partake in, students would rather go to a pumpkin patch than go apple picking.
The students were then asked to share what fall drinks they would recommend to other students.
Many recommend the Pumpkin Cream Chai and the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
