Pumpkin Spice Latte Returns To Barnegat-Area Starbucks

BARNEGAT, NJ — Like holiday-season commercials and Halloween displays, pumpkin-spice time seems to come earlier each year. Starbucks admitted this, releasing the Pumpkin Spice Latte earlier than usual on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

It didn't always start this early. Starbucks premiered the PSL on Oct. 10, 2003 — between the first day of fall and Halloween — according to MarketWatch. Corporate coffee competitors caught on since then, with Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's and Wawa releasing their own versions.

Love it or hate it, the PSL tends to generate controversy at this time of year. Just take a peek at Starbucks' Twitter announcement about the PSL's return and you can see the impassioned reactions.

"Fall doesn't begin until Sept. 22nd but whatever. Calm down, Starbucks," one Twitter user responded.

Others were not shy about their enthusiasm to sip on the drink, which one person described "Halloween in a cup" followed up by three exclamation points and several jack-o-lantern emojis.

"I waited for so long the psl to come back and I can't wait to get my hands on one next week," another person said.

One PSL devotee said she read the announcement and "just SCREAMED so loud in the middle of the store."

If you want to get in on the PSL action this week, you can go to one of these area locations:

• Acme: 912 W Bay Ave., Barnegat
• Target: 209 Stafford Park Blvd., Manahawkin

Related articles on pumpkin spice and local coffee:

• Jersey Shore PD Warns Of Upcoming 'Pumpkin Spice Storm'
• LBI's How You Brewin Coffee Company Doubles In Size

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