Skip to main content

Pumpkin Spice Lattes in Real Pumpkins Are Going Viral—Here’s How to Get One for Yourself

It’s officially pumpkin spice season, and you know what that means! Cozy sweaters, pumpkin patches and, of course, that first glorious sip of a pumpkin spice latte. Whether you’re the type to order one the second it hits the menu or you’ve already lost count of how many you’ve had this fall (no judgment!), there’s just something about a PSL that makes the season feel complete. But just when you thought your favorite fall drink couldn’t get any more festive, the internet said, “Hold my pumpkin.”

That’s right! A viral fall tradition is making its annual comeback on TikTok and Instagram, and it’s giving everyone’s favorite seasonal coffee order an adorable twist. You might have seen this trend pop up on your feed in previous years, but if you’ve never actually tried it yourself, consider this your sign to finally get in on the fun. And the best part? You don’t need to be a social media influencer to join the pumpkin party.

Read on to find out what this viral pumpkin spice latte trend is all about, how to try it yourself and a few ways you can give your typical PSL a festive fall makeover.

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more news, food, fun facts, humor, cleaning, travel and tech all week long.

How are people getting these PSLs in actual pumpkins?

@macyhorman0 Happy September 1st! 🤎 Pumpkin Spice Latte, but make it festive!! #starbucks #fallseason #fallvibes #starbucksdrinks #pumpkinseason ♬ orijinal ses – gilmore🍂☕️


People are bringing their own hollowed-out mini pumpkins to Starbucks and asking baristas to pour their pumpkin spice lattes straight into them. Some lucky customers have even gotten the full treatment, complete with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice on top.

But don’t expect every Starbucks to be on board. Many baristas turn down these requests because of food-safety rules. After all, a pumpkin isn’t exactly a standard coffee cup.

Luckily, there’s an easy workaround. Bring your own clean, hollowed-out mini pumpkin and order your PSL as usual. If the barista can’t serve it directly in your pumpkin, simply pour the drink in yourself after picking up your order. You can also ask for whipped cream on the side to give your pumpkin cup that picture-perfect finishing touch. Just like that, you’ve got yourself a viral-worthy fall drink!

What are the potential health concerns?

Drinking a PSL out of a real pumpkin might look cute on camera, but it comes with a few potential problems. For one, pumpkins can carry dirt and bacteria on their skin. If they aren’t properly washed and hollowed out, you could end up with more than just pumpkin spice in your latte.

And it’s not just your own health that cafes like Starbucks have to worry about. Bringing a raw pumpkin behind the counter could introduce dirt, bacteria and other contaminants into an area where drinks are prepared. There’s also the risk of cross-contamination if the pumpkin touches equipment or food-preparation surfaces. That’s why baristas may refuse to fill your pumpkin directly. They have food-safety standards to follow, and a mystery gourd from someone’s kitchen isn’t exactly an approved coffee cup!

Hot drinks are another concern. Pouring a steaming PSL into a raw pumpkin can soften the flesh and potentially cause leaks. And if your pumpkin has been sitting around since your last carving session, that’s a definite no-go. Cut pumpkins can spoil and grow bacteria or mold over time.

Your best bet? Use a fresh pumpkin that’s been thoroughly cleaned and hollowed out right before serving. Better yet, pop a small food-safe cup inside the pumpkin and pour your latte into that. You’ll get the same adorable fall aesthetic without having to wonder whether your pumpkin is actually safe to drink from.

What other PSL hacks can you try?

A pumpkin cup isn’t the only way to make your PSL feel a little more special. Here are a few easy upgrades worth trying on your next coffee run.

  • Add pumpkin cream cold foam. Top your iced PSL with pumpkin cream cold foam for an extra creamy sip.
  • Swap in oat milk. Its creamy texture pairs perfectly with pumpkin spice and gives your latte a slightly different nutty flavor.
  • Ask for extra pumpkin spice topping. A little more cinnamon and spice on top? Yes, please.
  • Add an espresso shot. If you like your coffee strong, an extra shot can balance out the sweetness while giving you an extra caffeine boost.
  • Add a pump of chai. Love a dirty chai? Try adding a little chai concentrate to your PSL for an extra kick of warm spices. It’s like combining two of fall’s coziest drinks into one.
  • Turn it into an affogato. Pour a freshly made PSL over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a pumpkin-spiced twist on the classic Italian dessert.

Who knew there were so many ways to make pumpkin spice season even better?

Source:

Your Favorite Fall Drink, Based on Your Zodiac Sign

Funny Coffee Jokes That'll Perk You Right Up

What You Need to Know About Starbucks Cup Sizes

The post Pumpkin Spice Lattes in Real Pumpkins Are Going Viral—Here’s How to Get One for Yourself appeared first on Reader's Digest.



from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/iaSjHbc
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

41 of the Most Useful Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

Everyone wants everything they do on their computer to be fast. Their Internet connection, the speed they type, and how quickly they can save, open, and alter documents. These mac keyboard shortcuts can help you do just that. Try out these Mac hotkeys to make your browsing, typing, and viewing experiences a little more convenient. Here are some keyboard shortcuts that will make web browsing so much easier . Mac keyboard shortcuts allow you to do things on your computer that would typically require you to use a mouse, trackpad, or another device with a combination of the keys on your keyboard. To find the Mac shortcuts that are already set up on your device, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts. From there you can look through the different mac keyboard shortcuts that are set up for your keyboard, launchpad and dock, Mission Control, Spotlight, and so on. To change an existing shortcut you can select the one you want to change, click on the key combination, and then ty...
Post a Comment
Read more

30 Math Puzzles (with Answers) to Test Your Smarts

Math is not everyone’s favorite, understandably. Hours of math homework and difficult equations can make anyone sour on the subject. But when math problems are outside of a school setting, there’s no time limit to do them, and they’ve got a fun, more whimsical concept than just finding x, they can be great activities for kids. (And adults, of course!) They test your brain and critical thinking skills, provide some constructive, educational fun,  and  provide tangible examples of math lessons you’ll actually use in real life . Math puzzles come in plenty of different varieties, too. Some more straightforward number puzzles do require calculations to find the solution. Others are more like logic puzzles and challenge you to look for a pattern. Still others present the puzzle through pictures, making them great for visual learners. From  Reader’s Digest ‘s “Mind Stretchers” books, these math puzzles have a bit of everything! If you’re more of a riddles person, we’ve got reg...
Post a Comment
Read more

Will Cicadas Destroy Your Garden? 10 Things You Need to Know

It’s easy to wince thinking about the mass emergence of insects like cicadas. Their numbers can reach millions per acre, creating a near-deafening buzzing chorus. So it’s understandable that questions like, “Will cicadas eat my plants?” immediately spring to mind. But cicadas are also pretty fascinating and play important roles in the ecosystem. “Cicadas inspire wonder in our world!” says Jennifer Hopwood, senior pollinator conservation specialist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. “They spend most of their life underground next to the same plant roots. Somehow, these creatures are able to track the years that pass by and time their emergence with other periodical cicadas in the region to overwhelm predators. They are amazing little critters.” Here’s a rundown of what to know about cicadas, good and bad, including whether or not they eat plants and how to protect your trees during an emergence. Get Readers Digest s Read Up newsletter for more gardening, humor, cl...
Post a Comment
Read more