As temperatures drop below 70 degrees, Spirit Halloween reopens and Starbucks releases their signature fall drink: The Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) — all sure signs of fall beginning. But do students and staff at Penn-Trafford agree with the so-called “Pumpkin Spice Mania” taking over the season?

     The drink itself, available hot, iced or blended, features a blend of Starbucks Signature Espresso with steamed milk and flavors like pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. It is also topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices.

     Some think it is disgraceful to lump the drink together with the blissful season of fall. Senior Julianne Fontano said that the beverage “tastes like Christmas decorations.” (Still festive, just the wrong holiday). Another senior, Mya Malloy, claimed that the drinks are overly pungent and feel like a “heart attack” in her mouth.

     The most defensive of them all was English teacher David Moio, who strongly protested any coffee that is not black. He said that the Pumpkin Spice Movement is “offensive at best, repulsive at worst,” stating that it represents the “insatiable desire for people to ruin everything that tastes good with artificial flavoring.”

     Others (less critical than those above) fall into a middle category. Spanish teacher Desiree Alba does not dislike the pumpkin flavor, but thinks that “the lattes are too milky” for her; instead, she opts for the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. Gifted teacher Christina Wukich stated that, to channel the fall spirit, she is “more of a chai tea girl,” citing the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai as her Starbucks drink of choice.

     Surprisingly, few actually acknowledged the latte as deserving of the popularity it has gained. Senior Olivia Clothier said that she is a “big fan” of pumpkin spice, crediting it as one of the key components of fall. Linda Loughner, who runs the school’s Coffee for a Cause, answered that she likes “everything pumpkin spice,” including pumpkin-scented candles.

     Overall, the most common answer to the question of Pumpkin Spice is that it has been given too much importance in culture.   

     Moio stated, “Pumpkin Spice Mania is the most overrated movement in human history.” 

     Senior Fiona Bondra does admit to loving the beverage, but thinks that they are “overhyped,” and that “they’re not all that.” Many answered that people only pretend to enjoy the drink because it is trendy.

     For those who hop on the bandwagon of the PSL, P-T’s coffee shop is a great option to get your fix. Normally, they release this flavor in October, but Loughner said that due to its popularity, they’ve decided to start the year off with it. From now until Thanksgiving, head down to the coffee shop to savor either the Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee or Cappuccino.

Marissa Fong, A&E Section Editor