It’s hard these days to remember a world before pumpkin spice EVERYTHING. But that world existed in 2003, when a project manager at Starbucks named Peter Dukes led the team that created the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
And according to a new interview, he says they really didn’t think it would be a hit. Focus groups thought it was strange to mix pumpkin flavor and coffee, and he thought the drink was a, quote, “long shot.”
But when it went on sale, it immediately took off and became a huge hit. And now we’re at the 15th anniversary, and it might be more popular than ever. (Business Insider)