The nights are drawing in, the temperatures are dropping and the leaves are turning brown. Which implies one factor – it is formally PSL season! So that you could be questioning, is Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte gluten free? Here is what you want to know…

It nonetheless amazes me that a complete season has been constructed round one drink, so it is comprehensible you’ll have FOMO if you have not but had a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Since I first wrote this put up in 2016 fairly a bit has modified, so now for 2023 this is the up to date information to if Pumpkin Spice Lattes are gluten free within the UK.

For these of you at the moment stood in a Starbucks (UK) along with your cellphone in hand, unexpectedly Googling ‘Is Starbucks pumpkin spice latte gluten free’ – the short reply is that it does not have any gluten-containing elements.

That’s, after all, with the caveat of an oat milk pumpkin spice latte, as Starbucks makes use of an oat milk which is not gluten free.

I actually have been in the identical place, making an attempt to look this query limitless occasions and probably not arising with a definitive reply.

So in the event you’re in a rush, there you go – and in the event you’re not, properly, this is some extra data for you, together with cross contamination dangers.

The PSL hype begins

There’s all the time been a little bit of thriller surrounding this nearly cult-status autumnal drink, the pumpkin spice latte, or PSL because it’s usually abbreviated.

Personally, I was the largest fan of the drink, however now it is just a little too candy for my private pereference.

I all the time was once a summer time particular person however the return of PSL all the time sparks an pleasure of the nights drawing in, cosy evenings cuddled up watching tv and baking scrumptious, consolation meals.

That being mentioned, I used to get pleasure from a Pumpkin Spice Latte earlier than oat milk was launched in UK espresso retailers.

Pumpkin spice is a little bit of an American sensation which appears to be getting larger and larger annually. And I really like that vibe!

Is there gluten in a pumpkin spice latte?

In response to the Starbucks Allergen Information for Autumn 2023, the next drinks do NOT include any gluten containing elements:

• Pumpkin Cream Chilly Brew
• Pumpkin Spice Latte with skimmed, semi-skimmed or complete milk
• Pumpkin Spice Latte with almond milk
• Pumpkin Spice Latte with soya milk
• Pumpkin Spice Latte with coconut milk
• Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte with skimmed, semi-skimmed or complete milk
• Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte with almond milk
• Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte with coconut milk
• Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte with soya milk
• Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino with skimmed, semi-skimmed or complete milk
• Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino with almond milk
• Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino with coconut milk
• Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino with soya milk

What different autumn drinks are gluten free in Starbucks?

In addition to pumpkin spice lattes, there are additionally another autumn drinks on the menu.

The Salted Maple and Caramel Latte, Iced Latte, Frappuccino and Chilly Brew doesn’t include gluten elements when made with milk, almond milk, coconut milk or soya milk.

Which autumn drinks include gluten in Starbucks?

The next autumn drinks at Starbucks DO include gluten:

• Any drink made with oat milk (their oat milk just isn’t gluten free)
• Any Ghost Pumpkin drink (the sugar topping comprises barley malt extract)

What about cross contamination?

Like most locations, Starbucks ship the same old ‘we can’t assure a gluten free surroundings’ line:

“There’s a chance of cross contamination with it being round different merchandise that include gluten.”

Nonetheless, it is essential to notice that the oat milk Starbucks makes use of, very like Costa Espresso, just isn’t gluten free.

Sadly no research have ever been executed on the danger of cross contamination from milk steamers, so it is unattainable to say how nice the danger is.

For me personally, I might deal with it very like anyplace else when consuming out with coeliac illness.

Would you eat from a toaster the place regular bread had been toasted? No.

So would I drink from a steamer the place non-gluten-free milk had been steamed?

By way of time and expertise I’ve come to the conclusion that my private reply to that might even be no.

However I do imagine it is essential to base your expertise on a person retailer foundation.

In some shops you’ll have a very useful barista who can deep clear the steamer, or use a recent one, so it is essential to have that dialogue.

What do you suppose?

Do you keep away from Starbucks in any respect value? Or do you drink their coffees? Remark under and let me know your ideas.