More than 200 Million Sold: Fans Celebrate the Return of the Original Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks

A decade after it was first offered, Starbucks most successful seasonal beverage arrives in stores alongside fall favourites

TORONTO, Sept. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) today welcomes the return of the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL), back for its 10^th anniversary. Starbucks is celebrating the beloved beverage's 10^th season as a fall tradition, which fans have established as the company's most popular seasonal beverage of all time, having purchased more than 200 million beverages since it was first introduced in 2003.

The Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice Latte is a perfectly handcrafted signature espresso beverage that features freshly steamed milk, rich and creamy pumpkin flavoured sauce, and warm seasonal spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove. The beverage is finished with a dollop of whipped cream and Starbucks pumpkin spice topping and is customizable to meet customers' unique taste preferences.

"There's always so much excitement and anticipation for the return of Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice Latte each year, and it has become our most popular seasonal beverage of all time," said Cliff Burrows, group president, Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).  "We hear from our customers year-round that drinking their first Pumpkin Spice Latte is when they know fall has arrived."

Last year alone, Canadians enjoyed more than 1.2 million litres of Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice Latte. That's enough PSL to ice 29 professional hockey rinks and fuel six 747 jet planes.

To commemorate the iconic beverage's 10^th year, September 3 through September 9, customers will receive 50 per cent off the price of the PSL 10 tumbler with the purchase of any Pumpkin Spice Latte beverage, available at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada while supplies last.

To celebrate Starbucks PSL fans' decade of pumpkin devotion, customers can purchase specially-designed merchandise including the PSL 10 mini Starbucks Card (available at participating Starbucks® retail stores in the U.S. and Canada and at www.Starbucks.ca/Card) and PSL 10 Tumbler (available at participating Starbucks® retail stores in the US. and Canada and www.Starbucksstore.ca )

"It's been great to see the trajectory over the past decade, because when we launched PSL ten years ago—yes it has a nickname now—we took a bit of a risk on a new innovation ," said Peter Dukes, director of espresso brand management at Starbucks and a co-creator of PSL. "You just didn't see pumpkin-flavoured food and beverages ten years ago the way you do today."

Customers can also enjoy a variety of seasonal food and beverages like the indulgently sweet new Chocolate Chai Tea Latte and Salted Caramel Mocha.  For customers who want Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice Latte on the go, Starbucks VIA® Pumpkin Spice Flavoured Coffee returns for a second year.

Available this fall for the first time in Canada is Starbucks® Thanksgiving Blend. Available in whole bean, Starbucks® Thanksgiving Blend is a flavourful combination of full-bodied beans from Sumatra, with hints of fine herbs, and beans from Guatemala, which add subtle spice, notes of cocoa and a pleasant sparkle.    Returning is Starbucks® Anniversary Blend, available in whole bean, K-Cup® Packs and Verismo™ pods.  Originally created in 1996 as a special coffee to celebrate Starbucks 25th anniversary, this coffee is so beloved by customers that it's become an annual tradition ever since.

For more information about PSL visit http://psl.starbucks.com/.

About Starbucks Corporation
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com. 

Image with caption: "Starbucks Coffee Company welcomes the return of the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte, back for its 10th anniversary (CNW Group/Starbucks Coffee Company)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130902_C9668_PHOTO_EN_30324.jpg

SOURCE: Starbucks Coffee Company

For further information:

Carly Suppa
Starbucks Coffee Canada
416-228-7423
[e-mail] 

Alicia Storey
Edelman Canada
416-849-8935
[e-mail]