For many, pumpkin spice lattes are a fall staple. Most coffee shops—local and chain—carry some version of a pumpkin spice latte. However, it is not widely known that Starbucks created the original pumpkin spice latte in 2003.

In spring 2003, at the Seattle headquarters, a Starbucks team filled the "Liquid Lab," a secure research and development space, with gaudy fall decor. They also brought in pumpkin pies, and began brainstorming. The team was looking to craft a seasonal fall beverage that could be as successful as their popular Peppermint Mocha the winter before. They then started taste testing—bites of pumpkin pie followed with sips of hot espresso, testing how the well the flavors complemented each other.

The next three months at Starbucks headquarters were spent perfecting the re

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