Finally, a Protein Powder That Doesn’t Taste Disgusting

After more than a decade working in the wellness world, I can tell you one thing for certain: Most wellness-related food tastes disgusting. Health may equal wealth, but it certainly does not mean delicious.

So when my divinely chic (and also, quite ripped) coworker Mark Guiducci asked if I had heard of Ka’chava Protein powder, I’ll confess: I rolled my eyes internally. Yes, I had heard of it—advertisements for the brand had popped up during podcasts, which I skipped through—but had I tried it? No. I wasn’t even remotely interested. But it’s funny how influencing literally works…Guiducci, my own influencer in question, had spotted it in a cool friend’s kitchen and had given it a try. So now, I was interested in trying.

I’ve always associated protein powders with the toddler-sized black tubs of yore. Something both decidedly un-sexy and bulky, which I simply didn’t have room for inside my New York-sized apartment. But Ka’chava feels different: Starting with the pastel-colored flexi-bag packaging. Guiducci jokingly calls the duck egg blue, mint, and lilac-toned packaging “pura vida branded,” but that’s exactly it. It’s the quiet luxury-ification of protein powder.

And then there’s the actual powder itself. The five flavors (chocolate, vanilla, matcha, coconut acai, and chai) have almost hard to believe, work-smarter-not-harder claims. Protein! Iron! Electrolytes! Vitamins E, C, and D! Magnesium! Two scoops are a veritable who’s who of my supplement cabinet.

Guiducci and I have his-and-hers approaches to working Ka’chava protein powder into our daily routines. “I like the chocolate or vanilla flavors very bare bones,” he says. “Just ice, water, and creatine powder. I go for three scoops to make it a bit richer. It’s the perfect snack between lunch and dinner.”

My scoops and flavor depend on my mood. Much like my coworker, I stick to the classic chocolate and vanilla flavors: Vanilla integrates well into overnight oats and smoothies, while chocolate tastes best on its own. And while I’ve never gone as intense as three scoops, I usually find one heaping scoop or two in the morning boosts my energy for until lunch—and most importantly, tastes good.