Nora Walkiewicz (286)

The transition into fall is hard to miss; leaves change, the weather goes from hot to the awkward phase of cold in the morning but hot in the afternoon, then eventually bitterly cold. Central students change their t-shirts to hoodies and portable fans to scarves. Although, one thing that new generations are changing about this season is their drink order.

Coffee companies and other large corporations can be given some credit for the romanticism of the fall season throughout the years, but can new flavors outweigh the traditional?

Apple cider has been a sensation and phenomenon dating back to at least 55 B.C. Soon, cider spread throughout the Roman Empire after the Normans introduced apple orchards to Europe. The crisp apple taste reminds everyone of fall and is extremely versatile. It can commonly be found at pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and other fall-themed events. Apple cider has health benefits due to its minimal ingredients and valuable vitamins, can be served hot or cold, and can be incorporated into baked goods and cooking recipes. 

On the other hand, Pumpkin Spice Lattes (PSLs) have skyrocketed over the years since Starbucks came up with the idea in 2003. Starbucks contributed to the seasonal drink craze by coming up with specific items only available for a limited time each year. As their popularity grew, so did social media. The visually appealing factor of the drink makes this the perfect product for social media users to post about. The hashtag “#PumpkinLatte” has been used 89,000 times, and “#PumpkinSpiceLatte” has been used 902,000 times on Instagram. 

In reflection of students at Central, the polls showed a tight competition. According to the poll via the Centralizer’s Instagram page, forty-four percent of people voted for Pumpkin Spice Lattes versus fifty-six percent of people who voted for Apple Cider. It seems as though this generation of Central students is breaking the new norm.