The Pumpkin Spice Latte Phenomenon: How to Prepare This Autumn Hit at Home

A Coffee Hit That Conquered the World

The first pumpkin spice latte appeared in American cafés and quickly gained cult status. Today, it is an autumn ritual, as much a part of cold days as colourful leaves or fragrant cinnamon pies. Its magic lies in the combination of coffee and the warming tones of pumpkin, cinnamon and cloves.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte was first introduced by Starbucks in 2003, and it has since become a worldwide symbol of autumn. Every year, its launch unleashes a “pumpkin spice mania”. The drink has its own abbreviation, #PSL, and has become a social media trend.

In the Czech Republic, pumpkin is traditionally used for preparing soups, stews and pies. Recently, we are seeing it more and more at farmers' markets or autumn festivals. For a Czech coffee lover, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is a natural fusion a global trend with a flavour that has a long tradition in Czech cuisine.

Why is the Pumpkin Spice Latte so Irresistible?

• The combination of coffee and classic spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger) evokes a feeling of warmth and nostalgia.

• Psychologists say that the taste and aroma of a Pumpkin Spice Latte recalls a festive atmosphere, reminding people of pies, baking and childhood memories.

Fun Facts about Pumpkin Spice Latte

• Origin in 2003: The Pumpkin Spice Latte was first introduced by Starbucks in 2003, initially as a test product in cafés in Washington D.C. and Vancouver (Starbucks Stories).

• A Quick Cult Following: In just a few years, the #PSL became the world's most popular seasonal drink and is now seen as a symbol of the beginning of autumn.

• Hundreds of Millions of Cups: Since its launch, hundreds of millions of cups of this drink have been sold (Fox Business).

• Pumpkin Season: This is a term for the period when shops in the U.S. are flooded with pumpkin-spice flavoured products, from cookies to candles.

• Social Medica Culture: For many fans, the first cup of PSL on Instagram marks the official beginning of autumn, often with the hashtag #PSL.

Czech Pumpkin Spice Syrup for Coffee and Desserts

Discover pumpkin in a non-traditional form that warms both the body and the soul.

Our premium thick pumpkin syrup from the limited PUMPKIN SPICE collection is made in the foothills of the Jizera mountains. Crafted with Hokkaido pumpkin, cinnamon and cloves, it has a sweet and spicy flavour that evokes the atmosphere of pumpkin patches and farmers' markets. It adds a piece of autumnal comfort to every sip.

Unlike mass-produced syrups, we use Hokkaido pumpkin from Czech fields and produce our syrup in smaller batches. This ensured that it retains its full flavour and aroma. That's what transforms a classic American coffee hit into a unique local experience – a true taste of Czech autumn in a cup.

Recipe Tips You Must Try

Our tip: Enrich your smoothie in healthy seeds – mix a tablespoon of chia seeds to the smoothie ca 10min before serving.

The pumpkin syrup is also perfect for flavouring traditional Czech desserts. Try adding it to a cake, pancakes or oatmeal. In combination with apple strudel or gingerbread, it emphasizes the worm tones of cinnamon and cloves, which are associated with Christmas and winter holidays in the Czech Republic. 

Add the syrup to pancakes, crepes and ice-cream, or use it to flavour tea and punch.

Enjoy your meal!