The Pumpkin Spice Latte has become a global sign that the cozy months have begun. But here in the Philippines, we don’t have autumn leaves or chilly weather. What we do have is the longest Christmas season, warmth in every gathering, and flavors that remind us of home.
This November, Intuit Coffee celebrates that with the newest addition to our Kakanin Series: the Bibingka Latte.
Where Pumpkin Spice Latte began
The Pumpkin Spice Latte, or PSL, was first created in 2003 by Starbucks at its beverage development lab in Seattle, Washington. The concept came from Peter Dukes, who wanted to develop a fall-inspired drink that captured the comfort of seasonal desserts. Inspired by pumpkin pie, a staple of American Thanksgiving, the team experimented with espresso, milk, and a warm mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger.
When it launched, the drink was an instant success. Customers loved how it blended coffee with the cozy sweetness of autumn. Over the years, it became a global phenomenon, marking the start of “pumpkin season” every year and inspiring countless variations from other coffee chains around the world. It wasn’t just a drink anymore, it became part of seasonal culture.
In the Philippines, where we don’t experience autumn, coffee stores have still embraced the PSL trend by offering limited-edition versions that echo its cozy flavor profile. Local brands have reimagined it using tropical ingredients such as caramel or brown sugar, cinnamon, and coconut milk, creating a flavor that fits our warm climate and Filipino palate.
A familiar comfort
While we’re all familiar with the taste of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Intuit Coffee offers something closer to home. Rooted in local tradition and made for our kind of cold, it’s the perfect drink to welcome the season.
Intuit Coffee created the Bibingka Latte, a drink inspired by the soft, smoky sweetness of freshly baked bibingka.
Bibingka is a traditional Filipino rice cake made from ground rice, coconut milk, and sugar, traditionally cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves over hot coals. Its origins trace back to early Philippine communities influenced by both Austronesian rice culture and Spanish colonial cuisine, which introduced baking techniques using clay ovens.
Over time, bibingka became closely tied to the Christmas season, often sold outside churches after Simbang Gabi. Its lightly toasted aroma, the warmth from the charcoal, and the familiar toppings of butter, grated coconut, and salted egg make it one of the most nostalgic Filipino holiday treats.
What’s inside:
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Espresso for depth and balance
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Coconut milk and muscovado syrup for a rich, toasty base
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A hint of rice flavor for that classic bibingka aroma
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Topped with toasted desiccated coconut and cheese
It’s creamy, lightly sweet, and filled with the familiar warmth of local holiday flavors.
While we’re all familiar with the taste of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Intuit Coffee offers something closer to home. The Bibingka Latte is our version of a seasonal favorite, rooted in Filipino tradition and made for our kind of cold.
Enjoy the Bibingka Latte, available in-store this November at Intuit Coffee!