With pumpkin spice back in stock, it’s safe to say that the spooky season has officially commenced, and now that popular companies, such as Dunkin’ and Starbucks, are fully stocked on various pumpkin flavored drinks ready for consumption, there are endless options for everyone’s festive needs. With that said, it’s time to determine one thing: who supplies the superior pumpkin?
I have been an avid pumpkin connoisseur ever since I could drink coffee, and have gone through several renditions of different pumpkin spiced lattes from various coffee shops. However, Dunkin’ and Starbucks have held their spot at the top. When it comes to Dunkin’, their coffee can either be a hit or miss, however, because their coffee is cheaper in price than Starbucks I tend to forgive them more times than not.
My Dunkin’ order from late August to the end of October is always an iced pumpkin coffee with cream. Although Dunkin’s pumpkin-flavored drinks are sweeter than Starbucks’, this drink has the perfect amount of sweetness and spice, making for the perfect pumpkin flavor, so when it comes to simple pumpkin coffee Dunkin’ reigns supreme.
However, today I tried a pumpkin spiced latte from Dunkin’ and it was mostly milk with an ounce of espresso and pumpkin. Therefore, with Starbucks, you are paying for reliability and flavor each time.
Starbucks has several pumpkin-flavored items on their menu, from the classic PSL to the fan-favorite pumpkin cream cold brew as well as their pumpkin muffin. I have been getting their iced pumpkin spiced lattes since I was twelve. I truly love them, but I usually don’t feel like paying seven dollars for coffee every day, so I tend to lean more towards Dunkin’ on a consistent basis. I also have tried their pumpkin cream cold brew, which I do enjoy, but the aftertaste always deducts flavor points in my book because it is initially sweet but then leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.
Dunkin’ also carries cold brew now, and though I have yet to try their pumpkin cold brew yet, one of my roommates loves it and, as a fellow pumpkin enthusiast, I trust her word. Dunkin’ also carries pumpkin donuts which are to die for, so both places carry not only pumpkin drinks, but delicious pumpkin pastries.
Overall, my personal opinion is that Dunkin’s coffee has the best pumpkin flavor when it is done correctly. I love Starbucks, but when I need my pumpkin fix, the pumpkin iced coffee from Dunkin’ is where my heart is.
Thanks for reading, V