While some of us hold onto summer tooth and nail, rejecting the notion that cooler weather will once again be upon us, others welcome the approach of fall with open arms and one thing on their minds: pumpkin spice.
Yes, you heard us right. Despite high temperatures and sunny skies holding steady through the end of summer in late September, businesses and customers have the pumpkin spice itch, and the only way to scratch it seems to be rolling out the beloved autumnal offering early.
Here’s a list of places in Delaware where you can get your pumpkin spice, whether you’re a diehard pumpkin spice lover or a PSL first-timer:
7-Eleven, various locations
Nothing screams fall quite like loading up on seasonal goodies from your favorite convenience store. At least, that’s what 7-Eleven will have you doing.
On Aug. 1, the company announced its fall menu had dropped, featuring items like a pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin coffee and pumpkin syrup, which can be added into any drink for an autumnal recipe of your making.
7-Eleven also teased more fall treats to come, including a pumpkin muffin later this month.
Dunkin’, various locations
Dunkin’ dropped a promotional video on their social media accounts on Aug. 8 hinting at the return of pumpkin spice on Aug. 16.
While details on the offerings have yet to be revealed, Dunkin’ fans can sleep soundly for the next two nights knowing pumpkin spice is on its way to a location near them.
Last year, the company’s pumpkin food lineup included a few pumpkin drinks like the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Nutty Pumpkin Coffee and Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, along with pumpkin bakery items like the pumpkin cake donut, pumpkin muffin and Pumpkin Munchkins Donut Hole Treats.
Krispy Kreme, various locations
Krispy Kreme announced on Aug. 7 that pumpkin spice season was hitting storefronts a bit early this year with a collection of pumpkin spice-inspired donuts.
Each donut is stuffed, sprinkled, mixed or topped with pumpkin spice. The four themed doughnuts include the Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed Doughnut, Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut, Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Swirl Doughnut and Pumpkin Spice Maple Pecan Doughnut.
If that’s not enough pumpkin spice for you, Krispy Kreme customers can enjoy each doughnut while sipping on the chain’s pumpkin spice latte, made hot, iced or frozen, or the pumpkin spice coffee, made hot or iced.
Wawa, various locations
Wawa announced on Sunday, Aug. 13, that it’s “never too early” for pumpkin season, followed by a rollout of pumpkin offerings on Monday, Aug. 14.
Wawa’s pumpkin offerings include a pumpkin spice iced macchiato with cold foam, pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin spice cheesecake smoothie.
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Pumpkin treats to anticipate
Despite competitors dropping pumpkin-spice hints earlier than usual this year, other companies are waiting a bit longer to unleash the pumpkin beast.
Starbucks is known for its pumpkin spice drinks and is expected to drop this year’s pumpkin offerings sometime soon, having announced the return of the pumpkin spice latte last year in late August.
Menu items from previous years to look forward to include a pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin cream cold brew and pumpkin cream cheese muffin.
Wendy’s is also holding out on the fall fandom until Sept. 12, when it releases a seasonal Pumpkin Spice Frosty and pumpkin cream cold brew.
Got a favorite pumpkin order from a local business?Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com
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