The Busiest Day Of The Year For Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Fall cuisine is filled with sweet, savory, warm, aromatic foods and beverages quintessential of the coziest season. Think butternut squash soup, hearty stews, apple cider, and of course, anything pumpkin spice. Whether you love it or love to hate it, pumpkin spice is a bold, flavorful blend of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and other inviting ingredients that has consequently been incorporated into pretty much every edible product imaginable. This includes everything from baked goods and candies, to hummus, cheese, bread, Greek yogurt, and even Goldfish graham crackers. However, one of the most iconic pumpkin spice inventions — and arguably the one that kickstarted the ubiquitous trend — is the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.

Starbucks' legendary limited-edition espresso drink made its way into the hands of customers back in 2003 and has only risen in popularity over the years (per Adweek). Millions of Starbies fans crave the liquid treat weeks before the first leaf hits the ground. And, if you're wondering when PSL sales reach their annual peak, the forthcoming information may not come as that big of a shock.

Most PSLs are ordered on Halloween

The global coffee chain Starbucks serves up the most Pumpkin Spice Lattes on October 31 (per MyFitnessPal). That's right — All Hallow's Eve witnesses the most significant PSL orders, which makes quite a bit of sense when you really think about it. After all, the holiday is synonymous with copious amounts of sugar. It's also considered the onset of the "holiday season," a period in which pumpkin pies are historically plentiful. According to data from MyFitnessPal, most Pumpkin Spice Lattes are consumed on Halloween, which is typically a few months after the drink's annual release date in Starbucks stores worldwide. As the air cools off and people begin to don chunky sweaters and boots, our hankering for comforting treats heats up, and PSLs are no exception. This is especially true in Washington, which is reportedly the "most pumpkin spice latte-obsessed state," according to KHQ.

The java giant certainly started a wave of autumn madness nearly 20 years ago, with top competitors such as Dunkin', Panera Bread, and Tim Hortons also launching their own coffee chain versions of the cozy indulgence. So, regardless of whether you're proud to sip on festive PSLs and munch on pumpkin spice-infused treats, or if you'd rather not partake in the widely beloved culinary frenzy, it's safe to say that the Starbucks best-seller is here to stay.