Origin story
Inspired by the success of Peppermint Mocha the previous winter, Starbucks wanted a hit for the fall season. Their research suggested that though caramel and chocolate were popular flavours, pumpkin won the best pick more often for its uniqueness. This led to the creation of Pumpkin Spice Latte by Peter Dukes in 2003. It was introduced as a test in 100 stores in Washington, D.C. and Vancouver, Canada.

Social media sensation
PSL is an influencer in itself! Brewed to perfection in the world of marketing, the drink flaunts its own Twitter account named @TheRealPSL, with millions of followers to its credit.

Dictionary approves it
The Merriam-Webster dictionary included the word ‘pumpkin spice’ in 2022. Now if that does not work as a testimonial to the phenomenon that PSL has become, what else does?

What’s in a name?
The name PSL is not just an abbreviation – the name comes from the three-letter beverage code written on the cups of the guests by baristas.

A slice of the cake
Less than a decade after its debut,  PSL seemed to have infiltrated every industry. From candies and crafts beers to cosmetics and cleaning products, the pumpkin spice craze paints the town orange every autumn season.

I love coffee a lot. Infact I could say that it’s my favourite beverage and even though I need a hot cup in the morning to wake myself up completely and sometimes in the evenings as well, I do love me a cold one.

The cheapest way for me to get my cold coffee fix – as most cafes are expensive and places like Costa Coffee, Starbucks & when they finally do arrive here, Tim Hortons as well – is via a smaller outlet that makes a simpler yet decent one. The coffee, tea, juice & snacks stall at my office does a good one that keeps me going. They just use the regular stuff that they can get and keep the price very low at just Rs. 60 for a 350 to almost 400 ml cup.

So usually at work several times in a week, I take my coffee tumbler with a lid and lock, and give it to the stall and ask them to make me a cold one. I usually drink it in the late afternoons as I mostly need the pick me up at that time. It’s delicious and yet so simple and it does the job.

Whether coffee or tea is better for you depends on various health considerations, personal preferences, and specific health conditions. Both beverages have their own set of benefits and potential drawbacks.

Benefits of Coffee

1. Improved Mental Alertness and Cognitive Function: Coffee is well-known for its high caffeine content, which can help improve mental alertness, concentration, and cognitive performance .
2. Antioxidant Properties: Coffee is a significant source of antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and may lower the risk of certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and certain types of cancer .
3. Potential Weight Loss Benefits: Some studies suggest that coffee can boost metabolism and increase fat burning, making it potentially beneficial for weight management .
4. Reduced Risk of Certain Diseases: Regular coffee consumption has been associated with a lower risk of several diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and liver diseases, including liver cancer .

Benefits of Tea

1. Hydration and Relaxation: Tea, particularly herbal and green teas, generally contains less caffeine than coffee, which can make it a more hydrating and relaxing option. It also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which can promote relaxation and improve focus .
2. Rich in Antioxidants: Tea, especially green and white teas, is rich in antioxidants like catechins, which have been linked to reduced inflammation and improved heart health .
3. Lower Caffeine Content: The lower caffeine content in tea can make it a better option for those sensitive to caffeine or who need to limit their intake for health reasons. This can also result in fewer side effects like jitteriness or insomnia .
4. Potential Cancer Prevention: Some studies suggest that the polyphenols in tea might help prevent certain types of cancer, although more research is needed to confirm these effects .

Drawbacks of Coffee

1. High Caffeine Content: The high caffeine content in coffee can lead to side effects like increased heart rate, anxiety, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances in sensitive individuals .
2. Potential for Dependency: Regular consumption of coffee can lead to caffeine dependence and withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, and irritability .

Drawbacks of Tea

1. Lower Caffeine Content: While this is often seen as a benefit, those looking for a stronger caffeine boost might find tea less effective than coffee .
2. Potential Contaminants: Some teas, especially if not sourced from reputable suppliers, can contain heavy metals or pesticides .

Conclusion

Both coffee and tea offer numerous health benefits, largely due to their antioxidant content. Coffee might be better for those needing a significant caffeine boost and seeking metabolic benefits, while tea can be preferable for its lower caffeine content and relaxing properties. The choice ultimately depends on individual health needs and personal preferences. Moderation is key for both beverages to maximize benefits and minimize potential drawbacks .

The largest coffee shop chains in the world as of 2024 are:

1. Starbucks: With over 33,000 locations globally, Starbucks is the largest coffee chain in the world. Founded in 1971 in Seattle, it has a massive presence in the United States and numerous other countries??.
2. Dunkin’ Donuts: Known for both its coffee and donuts, Dunkin’ has around 11,000 stores worldwide. It was established in 1950 in Massachusetts and remains a major player in the coffee industry?.
3. Tim Hortons: This Canadian chain, founded in 1964, boasts nearly 5,000 locations primarily in Canada and the United States, with a growing presence in other markets. It was acquired by Burger King in 2014??.
4. Costa Coffee: Founded in London in 1971, Costa Coffee operates approximately 3,900 stores in 45 countries. It was acquired by the Coca-Cola Company in 2019?.
5. McCafé: As the coffeehouse style chain of McDonald’s, McCafé has over 10,000 locations globally. It has rapidly expanded since its inception in 1993.

Other notable chains include Peet’s Coffee, Tully’s Coffee, Caribou Coffee, Lavazza, and Gloria Jean’s, each with significant numbers of locations and unique market strengths.

Starbucks drinks are always very social media worthy. They recently launched their Holiday season specials, with a classic Archie’s comics theme. Out of these the very awesome looking Red Hat Mocha Frappuccino is now re-Christened as The Archie’s Crunchy Red Hat Mocha frappuccino is an Instagram-worthy drink that is almost too cute to drink {almost}. The strawberry and chocolate mocha combine classic flavours with a cute “hat” made of whipped cream, strawberry drizzle and chocolate whip. If that isn’t enough to make you run to Starbucks with your Starbucks card, then what will.

The drink is available in Hot, Iced or Frappuccino versions for those of you who don’t believe Starbucks has a winter! Something for everyone. They’ve also brought back their classic wintertime drinks like the Toffee Nut Crunch {a hot favourite}, Vanilla Nougat Latte and the Mocha Praline. Now, my favourite of theses has so far been the Archie’s Red Hat Mocha Frappuccino which is a perfect blend of milk, smooth coffee, decadent mocha, a generous amount of vanilla whipped cream topped with a chocolate whipped cream hat and strawberry drizzle and finished with crunchy graham crackers.

I gotta tell you that they keep bringing out stuff and I keep changing my favourite drink everytime a special comes out. So while my go to order is their Caramel Frappuccino – which is awesome by the way – this one really hits the spot. I’ve had it 3 times now and I just love it. I hope to get it a couple of more times before they take it off the menu.

What is cold brew coffee and how is it made? What is the difference between cold brew and versus iced coffee?

#1 | HOW IS COLD BREW MADE? 

Coffee grounds (usually coarse) + water (cold or room temp) + time (8 to 24 hours) = most cold brew. Cold brew coffee is usually made by steeping coffee in water for a number of hours at cold or ambient (room) temperature. This slow, low temp brew makes cold brew taste very different from hot brewing the same type of coffee beans: mild chocolate and mellow, low acidity fruits are common flavor notes. We tested this for ourselves, and you can read our findings in our blog, “Cold Brew Taste Test: 5 Coffees, Hot vs. Cold”.

Cold brewing – or in many cases ambient temperature brewing – uses time in place of temperature to ensure extraction. Cold brewing can take between 8 and 24 hours, depending on who you ask and what your target cold brew taste is. Cold brew coffee is also often made as a concentrate which is then diluted – or “watered down” – to taste from there. So, while pour-over coffee and most drip coffees have a brewing ratio of about 1 to 16 coffee to water (ex: 20 grams of ground coffee brewed with 320 mL of water), cold brewing is usually done with less and with a wide range of possibilities to suit different tastes.

#2 | COLD BREW VS. ICED COFFEE

Iced coffee used to mostly be just what it sounds like: normal brewed drip coffee or espresso to which one adds ice. It was not — and maybe still isn’t — uncommon to watch a barista or diner employee simply take some coffee from batch brew, throw some ice in it, and call it “Iced Coffee”.

“Flash chill” or “flash brew” coffee is a more recently popularized innovation on iced coffee. These “flash” methods take two steps to increase the quality of iced coffee:

1. reduce the ratio of water to coffee to account for the added ice that would otherwise dilute the coffee, and
2. cool down the hot-brewed coffee immediately by brewing directly into the ice-filled vessel.

Cold brew is slow-steeped for longer periods of time. It differs from iced coffee, which has been hot brewed specifically to extract those additional layers of flavors and other natural coffee compounds that don’t get extracted much or at all in cold brew.

Oh yeah! I love the fall/autumn specials. Granted we here in this part of the world do not have a fall season they way they have it in North America or Europe but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Beverage is a delicious drink that captures the essence of autumn. It’s a concoction of Frappuccinos’ velvety texture and comforting pumpkin pie spice flavors. The aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves transports you straight to a cozy fall day.

The cup before me was a sandier colour than a regular coffee Frappuccino. Almost a pinkish hue. The texture is thick and creamy. It’s sweet but not sickly, the autumnal flavours, such as the pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon and caramel burst through with every sip. It’s a very pleasant and tasty concoction, that doesn’t get boring. The coldness, added sweetness and texture make it very distinguished from the regular Latte version. It might be too cold for some but I like it a lot.

Ah yes September! When the leaves start to change colour and it looks so beautiful and then they fall – well not really where I live but I can see them nonetheless. Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte goes on sale August 24th in the U.S. and Canada, as it does each year when the nights start getting longer and the fall winds gather. But this year it was slightly earlier than usual. Starbucks India will also see the seasonal favourites come out to the delight of their patrons (as of now, I don’t see them on the menu).

Tim Hortons’ too have brought out their seasonal specials for their customers on AUg 29th. Tims customers across Canada can now try a new Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew, and a Pumpkin Spice Iced Capp. Offered either hot or cold, the lattes are made with freshly brewed espresso, frothy steamed or ice chilled milk, and delicious pumpkin spice flavour and are topped with whipped topping and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. As for the new Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew and the Pumpkin Spice Iced Capp, both come with a pumpkin spice twist. Once again, they haven’t yet arrived in India but they will. I am not worried since most of India does not really have a falll/autumn season. Just like most of of us do not really have a winter season.

For Starbuck It’s the coffee giant’s most popular seasonal beverage, with hundreds of millions sold since its launch in 2003 in the US alone. In the year ending July 29, U.S. sales of pumpkin-flavored products reached $802.5 million, according to Nielsen. Starbucks tested the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 100 stores in Washington, D.C., and Vancouver, British Columbia, that fall. The company quickly realized it had a winner and rolled it out across the United States and Canada the following fall.

It’s time to accept it, I am a basic bitch! Hehehe, I am a Starbucks Grande boy. The last couple of months has seen me going to the Starbucks in Vennala, which I think is their newest outlet in Cochin, several times. Usually after work and when I need a sweet pick-me-up after the working day is done and if I have time, I will head to that particular Starbucks and order me a frappuccino and let the sweet liquid take the day’s toil away fro me.

And their Caramel Frappuccino is my current favourite drink. These Starbucks Caramel Frappuccinos are delicious and despite the sweet caramel, overall it isn’t overpoweringly sweet. I love the combo taste of caramel and whipped cream. Considering its name, it’s has an obvious caramel-like taste. CheatSheet describes the taste of a Caramel Frap to be “the perfect blend of sweet and salty,” thanks to the mix of sweet Frappuccino Roast syrup and salty caramel syrup. Since a general consensus about the Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino is that the drink is not for people who don’t like sweet beverages, it comes as no surprise that a Caramel Frap has A LOT of sugar.

It’s ok to have it a few times in a year but I wouldn’t want to go to Starbucks on a daily basis for frappuccinos. But when I feel that craving, I will definitely try to go to one of them and enjoy a sweet beverage in the evening.