Whether you love it or despise it, the much-debated Pumpkin Spice Latte is back for another season.

From Thursday, August 22 (yes, August!), customers at Starbucks can start ordering the iconic seasonal drink along with a brand new Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai and other autumn flavors. They can also enjoy these drinks in fresh cups and tumblers released with the fall collection.

“Since its introduction in 2003, the Pumpkin Spice Latte has become Starbucks’ most favored seasonal drink and is enjoyed by fans worldwide,” the company remarked in a recent announcement.

Depending on where you browse online, the early launch of the PSL, reportedly the earliest ever, is either being celebrated or criticized as an affront to human decency. Here’s a look at some of the most amusing and peculiar social media comments on the pumpkin spice phenomenon.

A Battle Between Pumpkin Spice Fans and Critics

Finding pumpkin spice enthusiasts online isn’t hard. In fact, a study in 2022 from the Joetta Di Bella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication at Montclair State University revealed that of 20,000 posts related to pumpkin spice on X and Instagram made in September 2022, 55% were positive, while only 8% were negative and 37% remained neutral.

Nevertheless, PSL skeptics are not shy to express their disdain, especially regarding the drink’s earlier-than-ever debut.

A particularly popular post on X that garnered over 23,000 likes lamented that summer isn’t officially over until September 22, implying that the pumpkin spice release is a month too soon.

Meanwhile, others referred to the ads appearing in their feeds as unexpected surprises, and one user likened the premature arrival of the fall favorite to decorating the Christmas tree too early.

They might have a valid point—temperatures are still above 90 degrees in several states, so it’s understandable that some want to prolong the summer vibe. Conversely, others argue that iced pumpkin spice drinks are perfect for such weather.

Of course, certain individuals simply don’t enjoy the flavor, like one user on X who referred to PSLs as “nutmeg milkshakes.” Preferences vary, as is often said.

However, it seems the PSL advocates dominate the conversation, according to the data. A 2022 report by media company Neilsen indicated that Americans spend approximately half a billion dollars annually on pumpkin spice-related items, with Starbucks itself selling 20 million Pumpkin Spice Lattes each year.

You can see this trend through a simple scroll on social media. Since Starbucks announced the drink’s return, there has been a surge of posts featuring individuals enjoying their first taste, racing to their nearest store, or sharing memes that celebrate the start of the season.

Even Starbucks employees chimed in online ahead of the official launch, expressing their eagerness to dive into the containers filled with the beloved orange beverage.

No matter where you stand on the pumpkin spice debate, one thing is certain: discussions about it will continue online until the peppermint mocha latte’s arrival this winter.

Contributing: Gabe Hauari, YSL News