Each Autumn, some Starbucks fanatics alike have one thing on their minds: the Pumpkin Spice Latte. The PSL craze and its unexpected popularity is now in its tenth year, and for national and international “Pumpkin Heads”, its limited availability is one to take full advantage of.

“Around this time of year, about 75 percent of coffees that I sell at this Starbucks (Kroger on Greenville) are Pumpkin Spice Lattes,” Starbucks employee David Hill said.

Though difficult to believe due to its extreme popularity, the Pumpkin Spice Latte was not originally going to be a seasonal drink.

“It wasn’t the natural winner, but there was something there,” Starbucks espresso brand manager Peter Dukes told the Wall Street Journal.

The drink was almost cut because it is so easily imitated with syrup and coffee.

“We make the drink using the pumpkin sauce, espresso, steamed milk, the option of whipped cream, and pumpkin spice on top,” Hill said.

The seasonal coffee’s popularity has spread throughout social media platforms and across the high school.

“I think that because it’s a seasonal thing that gives the Pumpkin Spice Latte its popularity,” senior Courtney DuVal said. “Everyone just associates fall with the Pumpkin Spice Latte, and get really excited about it so when it comes along, everyone rushes to get the PSL and the Salted Caramel Mocha because they’re there for a limited time and it’s just a really fun tradition to have each year.”

Not only has the Pumpkin Spice Latte taken off in stores, but on social media platforms as well. With dozens of tweets every minute under the hashtag #PSL and thousands of Instagram photos of coffee cups, Starbucks and their employees aren’t the only ones advertising the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

“My sister and her friends take Instagram pictures and tweet pictures of their Pumpkin Spice Lattes,” freshman Chase Broussard said.

Because purchasing Starbucks coffees daily can be expensive, many news organizations and cooking websites have offered at-home alternatives to buying the coffee straight from the store. Check out the links below to find out how to make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/10/how-to-make-your-own-pumpkin-spice-latte-for-40-cents/

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte/831a63e4-a736-40fa-9f09-0326e01a05ff

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte/831a63e4-a736-40fa-9f09-0326e01a05ff

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-spiced-latte/