Taste of Fall: Pumpkin spice season to sprout early

Basic or not, you’ll want to mark your calendars for the third full week in August.

That’s when your favorite taste of fall will return to coffee shops across the country.

Starbucks is planning to bring back its signature fall drink, the pumpkin spice latte, towards the end of August (the 27th to be exact).

Dunkin’ announced its FULL fall menu, with all the fixins’ plus more, will be back in stores on Aug. 21.

“The calendar and climate still say summer, but for pumpkin lovers across the country, the excitement and demand for the favorite flavor of fall is already here,” Dunkin’ said in a statement.

In fact, the passion for pumpkin is on the rise.

Annual sales of pumpkin-flavored products shot up 15.5 percent in 2018 and setting an all-time high for the past five years, according to Nielsen.

On the fall menu at Dunkin’ this year, you’ll, of course, find the classic pumpkin-flavored coffee.

New this year, though, Dunkin’ is introducing a Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Signature Latte.

Dunkin’ is also unveiling apple cider donuts and MUNCHKINS donut hole treats for you to enjoy alongside your coffee.

Good news: pumpkin flavor can be added to any beverages from hot to iced coffees, cold brews, and even frozen chocolate.

In some areas, pumpkin spice season will return even earlier.

Dunkin’ is rolling out the menu at eight secret locations across the country on Wednesday, August 14.

At each Pumpkin’ restaurant, the first 250 guests will receive a free small hot or iced Pumpkin Flavored Coffee, while supplies last. Dunkin’ will also offer guests a free pumpkin-scented MUNCHKINS® lip balm, while supplies last.

While Dunkin’ isn’t yet revealing the full list of participating locations, here’s a hint: the initial letters of seven of the cities and towns where the temporarily rebranded Dunkin’s will be located spell out the word P-U-M-P-K-I-N-’.

Follow @Dunkin on Instagram for clues on where Dunkin’s Pumpkin’ restaurants will pop up.

Everything nice

Your local favorites are also jumping on board with the pumpkin-spice trend.

Socials Cafe & Coffeehouse in Cape Girardeau announced on Monday, Aug. 19, pumpkin spice is here.

Since temperatures are still hot and humid in the Heartland, Socials is featuring an iced pumpkin truffle. The drink has three shots of espresso mixed pumpkin spice and white chocolate with a salted caramel drizzle.

Obviously, all this talk about pumpkin spice lattes is great news for fans.

However, if you’re in the “it’s too early for fall” camp, this is your heads up that your social media feed is about to blow up with pictures of PSL.