PSL Craze

Annual pumpkin spice latte fever excites high school students

To say that Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte is extremely popular would be an understatement. The drink’s popularity is often promoted through social media, like Twitter or Instagram, and #PSL has spread from students to parents to Taylor Swift
It is a common stereotype that students are caught up in the craze of any new product, especially food and technology. The PSL is no exception.
Junior Chloe Backderf is one of those students. “I am a fan just because it’s really sweet and nice and fall flavored,” she said.
Sophomore Ben Stager agrees. “It just tastes good in the season,” he said.
However, not all teenagers love the drink.
“It tastes pretty artificial to me. It’s not worth the money,” freshman Kanella Basilion said
One tall drink costs a hefty $4.25. The buyer must have a real obsession for the drink to buy it from Starbucks, which is already famously expensive.
Now the craze for the flavor has gone beyond the latte. Not only does Starbucks offer an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, but the Trader Joe’s grocery chain offers pumpkin spice chai, ravioli, doughnuts, spices, bagels, ice cream, M&M’s, cream cheese, even pumpkin spice dog treats.
Even though Starbucks recently added real pumpkin to the drink, the sugar rush and taste of the drink has some downsides with health. One small — or as Starbucks calls it, tall — drink with whipped cream has 420 calories, 14 grams of fat, and 50 grams of sugar.
Most students are unaware of the health effects. After being told the calories, fat, and other effects of the drink the students were surprised.

“I dislike it even more. It’s not good,” Basilion said.
“I think I’m still going to drink it, but only once every month maybe,” Backderf said.
“I think some people actually genuinely like it, but I feel like it’s just been idolized so much and put in the media so much that it feels like a fall essential these days, so people buy it,” Basilion said.

Journalism I Reporter Astrid Braun contributed reporting.

 

 

Chocolate Chip
Pumpkin Spice Bread

1 Hour 20 Minutes
Makes 3 Loaves
Adapted from All Recipes

Pumpkin Spice Lattes may be all the craze, but this pumpkin spice bread with chocolate chips is even better. This recipe makes a lot, so make it and freeze some in foil or use it as the best fall treat (but you won’t want to give it away). — Zachary Nosanchuk, Lifestyle Editor

Materials:
Three 9×5 loaf pans, large bowl, plastic whisk.

Ingredients:
3 cups white sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
4 eggs
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Preparation:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. Grease and flour three 9×5 inch loaf pans.

2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts.

3. Fill loaf pans .

4. Bake for 1 hour, or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Cool on wire racks before removing from pans.

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