Love it or hate it, the pumpkin spice season is already brewing.
Even though North Texas temperatures are still on the high side, Krispy Kreme, 7-Eleven, and other brands have already made official announcements regarding their fall menus heavy with the contested flavor.
Krispy Kreme announced in an August 4 press release that its fall menu would arrive a month sooner than usual. The fall menu, including Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee and the Pumpkin Spice Latte Swirl Doughnut, became available on August 8.
Several other fan favorites also went live. Customers can get the Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut, Pumpkin Spice Original Filled Cheesecake Doughnut, and Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed, according to the press release.
Dave Skena, global chief brand officer for Krispy Kreme, explained that August felt close enough to fall to warrant its seasonal offerings.
“Sure, pumpkin spice is generally associated with fall, but true fans of the flavor will agree that August is close enough,” Skena said in the press release.
A day after Krispy Kreme announced its pivot to fall, 7-Eleven issued its own press release announcing the return of its Pumpkin Spice Coffee and Pumpkin Spice Latte.
“There’s no denying that the Pumpkin Spice Latte is a quintessential fall drink—it’s become a cultural phenomenon loved by coffee drinkers everywhere,” stated Dennis Phelps, 7-Eleven’s proprietary beverages senior product director.
In addition to 7-Eleven and Krispy Kreme, other well-known companies are embracing pumpkin spice season’s early start.
After five years without pumpkin spice Oreo cookie, Nabisco is bringing it back, East Texas Weekend reported. Customers will be able to find these cookies on store shelves starting Monday, August 15.
Popular food website Delish reported that the Starbucks pumpkin spice flavors and the rest of the company’s fall menu could be available starting on August 30.
Texans who prefer hard seltzers over coffee and sweets will be able to partake in the season, albeit in a different tack, thanks to Mighty Swell Spiked Seltzer in Austin.
The beverage company is launching a blood orange Halloween-themed six-pack, according to Brewbound. It will be available in late August.
Mighty Swell CEO Jeana Harrington told Brewbound, “The seltzer innovation cycle typically includes the ubiquitous spring releases, summer pool, party-related, and winter holiday-themed packs. Not all fall drinkers and those heading back to college want cider, pumpkin spice, and Oktoberfest– leaving room for more and interesting innovation.”
Yawn. Who cares? The only things Pumpkin I like is pumpkin pie and pumpkin rolls. I have them year-round.