Where Should you Buy the #PSL?

It’s 9 a.m. on a crisp fall Monday morning, you’re on your way to class, exhausted and lacking much-needed caffeine. You think to yourself, ‘it’s time to wake up with my favorite latte.’ The Pumpkin Spice Latte to be exact.

You love it. You need it. But, you don’t know where you would rather go to buy it.

The two famous coffee chains to purchase a Pumpkin Spice Latte are Starbucks and Biggby, both of which have it for a limited time. Reminder: the fall-favorite discontinues late November.

Now, it’s time to decide where you want to go for that special seasonal drink you’ve been waiting for all year.

As for Saginaw graduate student Kimberly Stahl, she’s already decided.

“Starbucks has all the best drinks,” Stahl said. “Made from quality coffee.”

The Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is light orange, served with light whip cream and a dash of pumpkin spice on top for garnish. You can indulge in this light pumpkin flavor with small hints of espresso, made to a drinkable temperature.

Being steamed to 150 degrees, this latte will surely warm you up on those crisp fall mornings. If you’re looking for a lighter flavor of cinnamon and pumpkin, then Starbucks’ latte is the one for you. The tall size has one shot of espresso and is 300 calories, costing a small price of  $4.51. This drink is perfect for the latte lover who likes the taste of espresso without an overload of caffeine.

Counter to Stahl’s decision, Farwell senior Travis White said Biggby is the place to go.

“I feel that Biggby is very underestimated and yet their coffee has better flavor,” White said. “They have coupons almost every week in the paper and they have a better reward system for their customers. Although Starbucks is more convenient on campus, the coffee and prices make Biggby much more worthwhile.”

The Biggby Coffee Pumpkin Spice Latte, from first swig, has a completely different taste than the Starbucks latte. It’s a smoky brown color with light whip cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. The taste immediately triggers your tastebuds with a pumpkin and gingerbread flavor. It’s not until the drink sits on your tongue that you soon taste the espresso. The longer the latte sits, the more the flavors begin to mix and become one savory autumn drink.

It’s steamed to 140 degrees, and will most likely be gone before the temperature drops. The tall latte has two shots of espresso and is 328 calories, for a price of $4.69. This latte is made for the individual who wants a strong flavored drink with a nice jolt of caffeine.

If you are still skeptical, fellow Chippewas can help you decide. In a poll conducted by Jacquelynn Lee of on campus students, this is what the Chips said.

58.3 percent of students said they prefer Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte
41.6 percent of students said they prefer Biggby Coffee’s Pumpkin Spice Latte

In the end it’s your choice. Whether you make a trip to Starbucks or have a craving for Biggby, just keep in mind the Pumpkin Spice Latte is only here for a limited time.