Breathless Anticipation

The matchup of the year...

In one corner we have Starbucks [bold added]:

We have been trying to keep a lid on some big news [ed: gotta sit down for this!] for the beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte, but with recipes and ingredients starting to ship to our stores, the buzz is building.

...espresso, perfectly steamed milk, warm fall spices with delicious flavor of pumpkin pie that reminds you of the cool, crisp days of autumn. So, with that great taste you know and love, the PSL returns this fall, and this time it will be made with real pumpkin and without caramel coloring .

In the other corner we have Panera Bread:

Panera’s newly ‘clean’ pumpkin spice latte is made with select ingredients including milk, real pumpkin, whipped cream, spices and salted caramel sauce....“We’re offering a ‘Real Pumpkin Latte,’ made entirely without artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives, and letting the goodness of real pumpkin, milk and spices do all the work.”

Panera's release date is September 9th, while a Starbucks spokeswoman said, "it is coming soon." As one who didn't care or even know that this drink existed, I just have one reaction: isn't capitalism wonderful?