Starbucks stores are already receiving Pumpkin Spice Latte supplies, and people think they've figured out the PSL's return date
- Starbucks fans are already buzzing about the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
- The PSL typically appears on menus in late August or early September, and Starbucks employees say that the PSL supplies have already arrived in stores, posting photos as evidence online.
- The top guess for this year's Pumpkin Spice Latte launch date is August 28.
Rumors about when Starbucks will debut its iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte are already swirling in a Facebook group that the coffee chain created for the beverage's biggest fans.
In late July, Starbucks created the "Leaf Rakers Society" Facebook group.
"This group serves as a forum where we constructively work together with Mother Nature to help Autumn arrive earlier in the calendar year," the description reads. "Maybe we get rid of August, or something?"
Having joined the private group, I can vouch for the fact that there is plenty of celebration of autumn in the air. However, there is also a lot of sleuthing being done to figure out when exactly customers can get their hands on the PSL this year.
Eager PSL fans are posting questions about the return of the beverage, but so far Starbucks has stayed silent, replying only in emoji. Starbucks did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
However, some Starbucks workers who are part of the group have been a little bit more forthcoming.
According to rumors circulating among members who say they work at Starbucks, many stores have already received their PSL supplies. The rumors seem to be backed up by photos posted on Reddit over the last week, showing Pumpkin Spice sauce arriving in Starbucks stores.
Having the proper materials doesn't mean that baristas are allowed to make the drink just yet. So, if you're reading this, don't try and force your local barista into making you a PSL before the release.
The consensus seems to be that August 28 is the most likely release date for the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2018, though a handful of people have said that August 26 is another potential date for the debut.
Take these dates with a grain of salt - even many Starbucks employees are saying they haven't heard when the PSL will officially return.
Both dates are on the earlier side of the period in which Starbucks is expected to release the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
The earliest-ever Pumpkin Spice Latte launch was in 2014, when Starbucks released the drink to select customers on August 26, with the general public getting access to the drink on September 2. Last year, the PSL's early release date was on September 1, with an official launch on September 5.
