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Why The Pumpkin Spice Latte Almost Didn't Make The Menu At Starbucks By Cassie Womack Sept. 7, 2025 6:00 am EST

It's Pumpkin Spice Latte season , and for over 20 years, Starbucks fans have been flocking to stores for a taste of the drink. If you're among them, you have Peter Dukes, former lead of the Starbucks espresso beverage team, to thank. Dukes' team developed the famous flavor — and fought for it to make the menu.

It was 2003, and Starbucks — high on the success of the Peppermint Mocha — wanted to create a new seasonal sensation. Dukes' team went to work brainstorming fall flavors: coffee, caramel, and pumpkin. Once they had a list, the brand surveyed customers to see what they thought. Pumpkin was a flop. It scored last on the list of flavors th

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