BCQ | SHANON ADAME The Pumpkin Spice Latte dominates the fall season.
BY SHANON ADAME
Nothing seems to kick off the fall season like the infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte. When I was living in Houston, I remember buying the first pumpkin spice latte of the season and sipping it while wearing a flannel and dripping with sweat in the 90-degree weather, wishing Houston had a semblance of a fall.
Most signs point to Starbucks as the creator of the first PSL in 2003, when developing drinks for their seasonal menu. And the rest? Well, it’ s coffee history, as the PSL will probably go down as one of the most popular lattes.
Now, the flavor,“ pumpkin spice,” dominates during the fall season. You can find anything from deodorant to protein powders with that signature smell and taste.
Despite its name, the original iteration actually didn’ t have any pumpkin in it at all. Instead, the focus was on the spices that are typically used for pumpkin pie: cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
The PSL evokes a feeling of transition, where the busyness of summer slows to make way for the coziness of fall. Things are a little colder, a little darker, and people tend to associate the fall season with home, family, and friends.
So, 22 years after it was introduced, what’ s the PSL like now?
I reached out to several local coffee shops to see what they think about the hype and what makes their PSLs special.
Southern Grace Coffee Co.
LOCATED AT: 312 TEDFORD ST., MARYVILLE
Owner Tosha Wilhelmsen says they try to mimic a pumpkin pie with their PSL, which can be served iced or hot, describing it as a“ hug in a mug.”
They make their pumpkin sauce from scratch with
22 | BLOUNT COUNTY QUARTERLY • FALL 2025 cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and add in Cruze Farm milk and their signature espresso.
“ It’ s going to have your darker notes,” Wilhemsen said of their espresso.“ It’ s going to have praline, toffee, caramel, and a little bit of chocolate notes.”
But there was one ingredient that was the most important.“ We put the love in,” Wilhemsen said.
As far as the PSL’ s popularity, Wilhelmsen said she thought it had to do with sentimentality, saying it’ s almost like grasping back at good holiday memories.
“ I think it’ s more of an emotional, sensitive thing than people actually realize,” she said.
Vienna Coffee Company
LOCATED AT: 212 COLLEGE ST., MARYVILLE
Over at Vienna, the PSL is actually called a Pumpkin Pie Latte. The drink consists of milk, espresso, Monin Pumpkin Spice syrup, and a little bit of caramel sauce. They can be served iced or hot. Vienna uses their signature Thunderhead Espresso in all of their drinks.
The latte is so popular, Marketing and Events Manager Beau Branton said that they don’ t even put it on the menu anymore, instead opting to feature two signature drinks. This fall, Vienna has caught the Wicked fever and will be serving up Elphaba and Glinda-inspired drinks.
The Thunderhead espresso will have tasting notes of toasted marshmallow, dark chocolate and almond.
“ On the front end, there’ s a little bit of sweetness and on the back end, there’ s a little bit of nuttiness,” Branton explained.
When asked why the PSL is so popular, Branton said,“ I think there’ s a sentimental thing. Every year they come around, and we get so exhausted with the heat, and the PSL is like the first glimpse of a little bit of chill.”