Everyone loves the taste of pumpkin in the fall, especially with a hint of spice. This pumpkin phenomenon is unparalleled in coffee, with the Pumpkin Spice Latte making for one of Starbucks’ fall season best-sellers. The popular drink gathers such attention that other franchises have come out with similar products, including the newly infamous McDonald’s McCafé Pumpkin Spice Latté.
And so begins a McDonald’s vs. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Battle Royale:
Round 1: Branding
While many would argue that it is not relevant to the quality of the coffee, the atmosphere within the establishment—the aura projected by the franchise, general aesthetic qualities—does affect general enjoyment.
While McDonald’s has more recently taken to renovating its establishments, creating the “McCafé” persona, one doesn’t just stroll down to the local McDonald’s to enjoy a fine latté. A long list of fancy new café-esque products and décor may provide a temporary façade of swanky dining, but ultimately McDonald’s has created a brand as a greasy kid-friendly fast food chain.
Starbucks offers a pumpkin spice latte in a classic coffee shop location. Thus, a hand goes to them for correct marketing.
Winner: Starbucks
Round 2: Price
Unfortunately all that sweet goodness comes at a cost: $5.95 for Starbucks’ premium original pumpkin spice drink, to be exact. McDonald’s offers a surprisingly delicious alternative for less than half the cost at $1.95 for a similar size.
Winner: McDonald’s
Round 3: Calorie count
For those of us watching our figure, McDonald’s offers the less calorie charged drink at 325 calories. However, Starbucks’ steeply sugared drink (with 49g of sugar and 380 calories) also comes sugar-free, making the statistics comparable.
Winner: Tie
Round 4: Texture
While both brews are creamy and velvety mixtures, the thickness of the Starbucks coffee sets it apart. Lots of cream and dense pumpkin taste hang on your taste buds for up to 10 minutes after a cup. McDonald’s thinner version is creamy, but doesn’t kick around too long. The after-coffee breath is more easily shaken because of this.
Winner: McDonald’s
Round 5: Flavour
Arguably the most important factor in a coffee drink is the flavouring.
While the McDonald’s blend of pumpkin and spice is impressive for a fast food joint, it is harsh and unbalanced. The latté is too aggressively spiced, to the point where it is difficult to even taste the pumpkin. What little pumpkin flavour comes through tastes fake, as the sugar is so potent: no extra whipped cream is needed–it’s already sweet enough.
On the milder side of things, the Starbucks latté possesses lots of character: the coffee flavouring is only enhanced by the addition of the pumpkin and spice. It’s a much gentler blend, for those of us who prefer to taste coffee in our latté.
Winner: Starbucks
Overall, while McDonald’s puts on an impressive show for a fast food chain coffee drink, it just cannot compete with the original and classic taste of Starbucks.
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