PSL

It's that time of year where everyone is festive! And that includes coffee companies and their drinks. Yes, the glorious time of Peppermint Mochas and Pumpkin Spice Chai Lattes has arrived... Or it did last month but I'm just getting to writing this blog now. Whatever, don't judge me.

For years, I was a die hard supporter of Starbucks. The high school I went to had one a block away from campus, so that was a lunchtime necessity. Then, my junior year, there was another coffee company being built right next to it. Some place called Dutch Bros. Never heard of it. A few of my classmates flocked to this drive thru to see what the buzz was about. Super friendly employees, punch cards, colorful straws... but no Pumkpin Spice Latte. The beginning of my junior year at school was tainted. Now I had to go by myself to Starbucks. Ugh...

Flash forward a few years and everyone is on the PSL trend, including DB. In all that time, I still happily sipped my Starbucks thinking no one could touch that magic. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that my brother, Paul, had the idea to compare the two. Ugh, ok I guess.

(Now, before you all start to think that this was my conversion to Dutch Bros initially, think again! It took one Double Chocolate Mocha about 4 years ago to make me switch "coffee" teams. Plus, they're local and I like supporting that as much as I can. But PSL? No no no.)

So, as not to hurt the feelings of our beloved DB crew on Market st, we went to a different location and ordered and Chai latte with pumpkin spice. Same for Starbucks, then homeward bound!

 

We grabbed a small size of each and I poured both into mugs so Paul and I wouldn't be biased while drinking each (he made different mugs for me). 

We both had a look at them first. With the Starbucks one, you can clearly see the pumpkin syrup in it. With Dutch Bros, though, it's pretty pale but with flecks of what we think were nutmeg/pumpkin spice mix.

 

Now for the taste test! I ended up tasting the DB one first, then Starbucks. I immediately knew which one was which. But comparing the two one after the other was a real trip! Starbucks has that overly sweet, syrup-y taste while DB has a more spicier kick to it. You can still taste the sweetness, but it finishes with that spice.

Overall? Dutch Bros for the win!! Both Paul and I preferred the finish of DB compared to the overly sweet of Starbucks. I do have to say I did like the packaging of Starbucks more. They made the effort and I appreciate that! Haha

So what's your favorite holiday drink? 

Happy Holidays!

R.

Twitter: maplebaconrae 

Instagram: maplebaconrae