If you’ve seen me buzzing around on campus, there’s a reason why. I LOVE pumpkin spice lattes; they can be a big guilty pleasure of mine, and this is their season. The taste, smell and the pure happiness of having something to sip on during a class or two are absolutely addicting.
Thus, I have traveled to coffee shops in and around Albion trying their pumpkin spice lattes.
The Pleiad has published coffee reviews before, such as Review: Sip Happens: A Local Espresso Taste Test written by Walled Lake senior Shay Athayde. But none before have been quite this seasonal.
Some ground rules I’ve set for myself include: The latte had to be only pumpkin spice flavored, hot and dairy-free, due to my lactose intolerance.
My rating scale is based on:
- Flavor: Is the pumpkin flavor too sweet? Too savory? Hopefully, a perfect mix of both!
- Aftertaste: It has to be a pleasant taste even after I take a sip.
- Price: I will be sharing how much I paid! It’s tough out there right now, and everyone should enjoy an affordably priced treat every once in a while.
- Autumn Vibes: Does the drink fill me with fall joy?
Now, with all that being said, let’s jump into the pumpkin-a-thon!
The Grinds: We Proudly Serve Starbucks: On Campus
Flavor: 6/10
Aftertaste: 2/10
Price: $5.75
Autumn Vibes: 3/10
The Grinds is an easy go-to on campus. I paid using the dining dollars attached to my meal plan, but for those without a meal plan it’ll set you back $5.75. The pumpkin spice syrup had a pleasant taste, but the aftertaste was a different story. It was an instant hit of pure espresso, and not the tasty kind.
However, the drink managed to fill me with the feeling of autumn – even before the month of September, because Starbucks and other major brands rolled out fall menus in mid-August. The latte was like a trailer that plays before a movie: not the main event.
Overall, my ultimate rating was 4/10 because the flavor profile and aftertaste were simply not my favorite.
Biggby Coffee: East Michigan Avenue ~1 Mile From Campus
Flavor: 6/10
Aftertaste: 4/10
Price: $6.56
Autumn Vibes: 7/10
Biggby is a popular place here in the Midwest, and living here, I know why. It’s like our Buc-ees, because Biggby is primarily located in the Midwest.
However, when I got the smallest size of 10 ounces, it was still $6.56, whereas in other coffee places I could get two more ounces for around the same price. If I had gotten a 16-ounce pumpkin spice latte, it would’ve been closer to $7.30.
The flavor in Biggby’s latte was much stronger and sweeter than other versions I tried. The aftertaste is a bit more acidic as well, but nothing too strong. The vibes, though? Immaculate. It felt like I shoved my head into a pumpkin.
My overall rating is 4.7/10 because of how pricey these lattes can be. Unfortunately, I am not made of money, no matter how much I want to be.
Stirling Books & Brew: North Superior Street ~1 Mile From Campus
Stirling Books & and Brew unfortunately did not have their fall menu out in time for publication.
I went first on Sept. 13 and then again on Sept. 19 to seek out a pumpkin spice latte. However, Stirling Books & and Brew is one of many local Albion businesses and has a different schedule than other major companies. I still recommend going down and getting a drink.
The store is cozy, and your patronage would support a business in the Albion community. When the fall menu does come out, I will be patiently waiting in line for a pumpkin spice latte.
Jackson Coffee Company: South Mechanic Street, Jackson ~20 Miles From Campus
Flavor: 4/10
Aftertaste: 7/10
Price: ~ $6.05
Autumn Vibes: 5/10
I had the small pumpkin spice latte when I stopped by Jackson. Flavor-wise, I could taste the coffee, but not the pumpkin spice flavor. It is amazing for people who like coffee first and flavor second. However, there wasn’t really a strong aftertaste which made it extremely pleasant to keep drinking.
I paid about $6.45 before tax, mind you there was a little up charge for my specialty milk. I don’t mind businesses charging extra for alternative milks. It’s a lot more work, but people who can’t have cow’s milk can either pay with money or with a reaction. I’m willing to fork over the cash.
The vibes were more “on my way to work in a small town” rather than fall itself, because I couldn’t taste the pumpkin spice flavoring; it felt more like a regular cup of joe.
All in all, it was a good coffee, just not a pumpkin spice latte – and that’s okay. Just because it wasn’t my cup of tea (or coffee, in this case) doesn’t mean it can’t be yours. It’s affordable and the flavor of the coffee is good for my coffee bean standard.
My overall rating for the pumpkin-a-thon is 5.3/10.
Serendipity & The Brew: West Michigan Avenue, Marshall ~12 Miles From Campus
Flavor: 6/10
Aftertaste: 8/10
Price: $5.50
Autumn Vibes: 5/10
As usual, I bought a small pumpkin spice latte, called a Muggle Macchiato on their menu. I paid about $6.45 with tax and my alternative milk choice.
I could taste the pumpkin in my latte, but the coffee flavor was also present. It was largely savory, but it’s savory done well. It didn’t taste like straight coffee with a hint of flavor – the aftertaste is exactly how I’d want it to be – pretty much non-existent. At most, it has the lingering taste of the espresso that knows when it needs to be gone.
There was no midwestern goodbye in this drink. When drinking my latte I could definitely feel like I was in an episode of “Gilmore Girls” (2000-2007), but less because of the element of fall, and more so because the coffee is what I hope Luke’s café coffee tasted like.
All in all, my overall rating was 6.3/10, as I quite enjoyed my morning coffee as I drank this latte. Is it the best pumpkin spice latte? Maybe yes, maybe no, but I would highly recommend coming down to Marshall to come and try it.
Final thoughts
My favorite pumpkin spice latte was definitely Serendipity & The Brew’s Muggle Macchiato. It tasted like pumpkin without having overpowering aftertaste and made me feel like an extra in “Halloweentown” (1998) .
Jackson Coffee Company is crowned my second favorite, followed by Biggby Coffee. My opinion is just my opinion though, and I highly recommend going out and trying all of these lattes yourself. You might be surprised by what you like best!
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