It’s that time of year again — not Halloween or Christmas quite yet, but PSL season. In case you’ve somehow avoided the craze, PSL stands for Pumpkin Spice Latte. After a long wait through chilly winters and sweltering summers, the cool, crisp air of autumn welcomes pumpkin spice into coffee shops everywhere. Many people go crazy for this seasonal specialty, while others roll their eyes in disgust. For me, pumpkin spice has always been a way to settle into the new season—a heart-warming flavor that brings a sense of calm.
The pumpkin spice latte has been a topic of debate for years. Delicious ones are certainly accessible, although they might be challenging to locate among the various stores trying to sell them. Students at Concord Academy might turn to Starbucks or Dunkin’ to get their PSLs, but that isn’t necessarily because those places have the best quality. They have lots of publicity and may be convenient choices, but they contain lots of sugar from syrups, have an artificial pumpkin flavor, and cost $5-6 for an overly sweet milk drink. In some cases, PSLs are trendy, seasonal, and everyone raves about them, but the drink itself typically isn’t as impressive as the hype suggests.
On the other hand, some spectacular coffee shops know exactly what they're doing when the PSL season rolls around. Take Haute Coffee, for example: a hidden gem in Concord’s town center. On top of having intriguing menu items like an apple cider latte and pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, Haute’s very own pumpkin spice latte has house-made pumpkin spice, pure pumpkin purée, and charming foam art. Picture a cool but bright autumn day: colorful leaves on the trees and on the ground, a gentle breeze, and the air filled with the crisp scent of fall. You’re sauntering through the breathtaking scenery with a friend, your dog, or just yourself. The coffee shop you enter is filled with people, and it feels warmer and cozier compared to the world outside. The perfect pumpkin spice latte enhances autumn's atmosphere, and New England is fortunate to have this gorgeous season every year. A great PSL could persuade anyone that the hype was definitely worth it.
Some people are still unsure when the PSL season starts and ends, while others have a strict timeline for it. With weather ranging from the 40s-50s in late August and 80 degrees in early October, it’s nearly impossible to pin down exact start and end dates. In a sense, it could start near the end of August, peak in October, and gradually taper off by the end of November. However, the time of year shouldn’t determine whether you can enjoy a comforting (or refreshing) PSL, hot or iced.
PSLs: Some people love them, some look on with contempt. Either way, they’re everywhere right now. Whether it’s from a chain store, local café, or made at home, they somehow keep the fall spirit alive. So go ahead, grab a cup, sip like you mean it, and remember: even if autumn only lasts six weeks, pumpkin spice makes it feel like six months.