Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte next to a bowl of candy corn with a ghost in it
Flickr / Josh Madison
Food

Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte Getting Its Earliest Release Date Ever This Year

Starbucks workers have reportedly revealed the official date for the 2019 return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, and this year it’s coming back earlier than ever. 

Okay, technically you can get it whenever you want by just asking for it, but they officially start advertising it at the end of August or early September every year as a way of reminding you that summer is basically over.

When Does The Pumpkin Spice Latte Come Out?

The spicy, pumpkiny deliciousness can be in your cup as soon as August 27, one day earlier than it’s ever returned to the menu before aside from one “early release” date in 2014 on the 26th. This year, there is no early release—just the official launch on the 27th.

For those of us who like to pretend because it’s fun, Starbucks has waited until September for both the “early release” and “official launch” dates of the PSL until last year, when they just went ahead and did the regular launch on August 28. Possibly because by then everyone had figured out that it’s all just a publicity stunt and you can get it whenever you want.

Business Insider correspondent Kate Taylor laid out the past release dates in a handy chart.

Why Does It Feel Like The Pumpkin Spice Latte Comes Out Earlier Every Year?

There are actually some theories on that. It may be because as you age, time appears to pass by faster and faster, hurtling you toward your inevitable, unavoidable death. It might also have something to do with global warming. Taylor has her own theories, putting together her “Unified Theory of Pumpkin Spice Lattes” in an entire Business Insider article. Slow news day?

Taylor points out that August 27th isn’t actually that early compared to other launch or “early release” dates and Starbucks probably chose this date simply to stick to their odd habit of having the drink return to menus on a Tuesday. They started this habit by making the PSL a post-Labor Day thing with their rewards program “superfans” being given (pretend) special access to early lattes via scavenger hunts and other gimmicks that were admittedly fun. After revamping their rewards program last year, they decided to just make the early date the official one for everyone and seem to be making it the Tuesday before Labor Day.

But also, death and climate change.

Are People Angry About The Early Release Date?

You bet they are! People have been inexplicably angry about the popularity of pumpkin spice flavoring for years now, and this not-really release happening a day earlier this year while many places around the world suffer record-breaking heatwaves has people hate-tweeting.

Less salty people are, as usual, very excited for fall.

https://twitter.com/holdonxmercy/status/1161030207266074624?s=20

Less salty, more spicy, with a hint of pumpkin.

Lindsey Weedston

Lindsey is a Seattle area writer interested in all things society, including internet culture, politics, and mental health. Outside of the Daily Dot, her work can be found in publications such as The Mary Sue, Truthout, and YES! Magazine.