I'm a huge fan of Red Mill products -they're made just around the corner from where I live, so I stop in their retail store all the time. I bought the whey through Amazon because it was a couple bucks cheaper than the retail price. I hoped to use it as a replacement to bodybuilding whey protein supplements that have a bunch of other ingredients - glucosamine, creatine, sugars, etc. I give big points to Red Mill for being simple and pure, and it's important to note they are selling a base whey protein concentrate, not a protein shake mix. It dissolves relatively well into water but not as well as leading protein drinks. The taste is what's sticking - it has a very raw, difficult to overcome flavor. It's like swallowing thin wallpaper paste (consistency) that has a strong, flat taste of the milky liquid that forms in cottage cheese containers. If you're planning to mix recipes like other reviewers recommend (adding apple juice, or spinach(?), or bananas and other fruit), you'll be fine. But be aware this is not drinkable on it's own - it requires strong flavors blended with it. I'm using it in my steel cut oatmeal in mornings, and I'll cook with it, but it looks like I'll need to stick with flavored protein shakes for meal supplementation.

I have never been happy with a packaged protein shake because I just don't care for sweet drinks. Every one I've tried is too sweet for my taste. So it's nice to find a product that is plain and lets me flavor it however I like. In its natural state it tastes exactly as I'd expect, like reconstituted dry whey. Not unpleasant, basically unremarkable. It dissolves fine and blends with dairy and non-dairy beverages fine and seems easy to digest. I am lactose intolerant but have no other issues with dairy.<br /><br />The reason I can't give the product five stars is the claim that it is "made from 100% whey." This makes it sound like all you're getting in the sack is whey, when in fact it is up to 20% soy lecithin -- a major consideration for some consumers. Below are details from two emails I've received from Bob's Red Mill.<br /><br />I hope no one reads this as trashing the company, that isn't my intent. I just think accurate labeling is crucial these days and should be expected.<br /><br />"Our Whey Protein Concentrate contains Soy Lecithin because it has been "Instantized" which means they spray the whey protein concentrate with a solution of water and lecithin, which causes the particles to stick together. The particles are then heated to evaporate the adequate amount of moisture. During evaporation process temperatures reach 120°- 180°F. Instantizing promotes a quick dissolving whey protein."<br />"Our Whey Protein Concentrate is 90% undenatured. It is not Hydrolyzed or Homogenized. It over 80% Concentrated Protein so that would leave less than 20% Soy Lecithin. In regards to the Soy, we have made a commitment to purchase only NON-GMO products from all of our Suppliers. We cannot advertise it on our packaging at this time because of wind drift, pollinators, and our lack of testing equipment at this time."

I recently had to increase my protein intake. After talking to a nutritionist, it was decided that protein smoothies would be the best way for me to get quick protein intake during my busy mornings and evenings. Trying to find a protein powder that doesn't include a bunch of ingredients and artificial sweeteners was much harder than I anticipated. After searching at my usual stores, I went to gnc and found what I was looking for...or so I thought. I purchased their brand of protein powder w/no added ingredients. No matter what I added to my smoothie, I could not get rid of the taste and after taste of that powder. I finally did a google search and came across a website listing the top 5 &#34;naked&#34; protein powders. Bob's Red Mill Protein Powder was listed and I immediately pulled up my amazon account to order a bag. It's EXACTLY what I was looking for. There is no after taste...or any taste at all, really. I even mixed some with my hot tea one evening, and the only change I noticed was a slight vanilla taste. Odd, because this powder is not vanilla flavored, but amazing because the other protein powder was so terribly bad tasting!! I am very impressed with this product!!! Definitely recommend!!

Blends well in smoothies. Taste is, to me, neutral which is a plus for whey. Difficult to find plain whey from "Sports" sources and when I have the taste is not pleasant. The others do contain whey isolate which is supposed to be superior so perhaps that is the difference. Elderly relative was drinking bottled nutritional mixes (Ensure etc) when she felt bad or had trouble keeping food down. They helped but smoothies are better. Make them with whey, egg whites (Deb-El Just Whites here on Amazon sells whites in smaller packages), natural chocolate (Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Cacao Powder), bananas and other fruit. She loves them. The whey and eggs whites give her all the protein she needs in a day in one drink (the egg whites lighten up the drink too but aren't really necessary unless you really want a protein boost). On bad days when she can't eat solid food, I toss in a few tablespoons of Deb-El powdered whole eggs to add fat and boost her caloric intake.

At last, a product where I have complete control over what ingredients I can use and have versatility of what shakes/drinks I make. No need to worry about artificial ingredients and sweetners. You can make just about any concoction with this protein powder, and make it 100% natural!<br /><br />Bottom line, if you want to control what you put in your body, you must get this!

Bob's Red Mill has always had quality products and I just started using this protein powder. I had done some research that whey protein could have a beneficial impact on HDL/LDL cholesterol numbers. Don't know if this is true yet but thought I'd add it to my diet. First time, I used less than a teaspoon mixed up in oatmeal. Within an hour I had terrible cramps, gas and nausea. And my tummy was making burbling noises. It did subside after I took a gas pill, but took the rest of the day to stop burping and cramping and go away totally. I then read up some more on whey protein, and sure enough, this is an effect on some, but not all people, of taking whey protein. I did not know. So if you try it, go with a small amount first in food--not the 1/4 cup they recommend on the package, as a 'serving size'. I'll continue to try small amounts to see if I can get used to it, and if it has any beneficial effect. The powder itself it quite fine, and only has a mild malty or even nutty flavor that will not interfere with anything you add it to. But I think that to start with a 1/4 cup as it states on the package, is too much. Digestive issues with whey protein seem to be quite common & I think the package should state that people might start with a smaller amount if they have any digestion sensitivities at all, before taking it.. So for those reasons, I only gave 3 stars.