As Ithaca High School moves into its “fall era,” we meet the various corporations and their many seasonal products. Arguably, the one that started much of what we consider “fall” branding is Starbucks, who began selling the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) in 2003. Many people will attack those who drink the PSL with accusations of being “basic.” However, I counter that there is nothing inherently wrong with being “basic.” People enjoy getting a warm fall drink on a chilly day for a reason.
And we need not support Starbucks’ effort to hurt Ithacans when we do so. Many local coffee shops across Ithaca and the nation offer their own take on the PSL, some of which contain actual pumpkin. Meanwhile, Starbucks’ latte has no pumpkin and is made with 340 flavor compounds brought together to make the flavor of a pumpkin pie.
Furthermore, the PSL is significantly better than other seasonal drinks. Truly, what IS a peppermint mocha frappuccino? (Frappuccino, by the way, is a name invented by Starbucks, Frappe is what it is called in Greece, where the drink originated.)
The PSL also represents the United States’ obsession with major brands to provide culturally iconic products, when in reality, local businesses are often better for sustainability and a working environment—after all, Gimme Coffee isn’t in a struggle against its Ithacan workers. Go out there and enjoy a pumpkin spice latte without worrying about the accusations of “basic”—but do make sure you choose a local coffee shop instead of, say, a Starbucks.