The rise of the Pumpkin Spice Latte

It’s been 21 years since Starbucks debuted the first pumpkin spice latte in 2003. Since then, it’s become a cultural phenomenon greater than itself: it’s shorthand for fall, for basicness, for femininity, and even for white culture. In this episode from last year, we explore why the PSL became so powerful — and how food trends garner so much meaning.

Host Brittany Luse chatted with Suzy Badaracco, food trend forecaster and founder of Culinary Tides, to discuss the $500 million dollar industry, and how little miss pumpkin spice has held on to her cultural power.

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