Source Naturals Pea Protein Powder - Plant-Based, Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Dairy Free Protein Supplement - Easy to Digest & Highly Bioavailable - Unflavored 16oz for Smoothies, Baking & Post-Workout Recovery

Warning: this isn't a very "nice" tasting protein. Probably has to do with the high sodium content. I couldn't imagine this in a fruit smoothie or some type of shake. However, it actually lends itself quite well to savory blends. For example, on those days where you've had a huge lunch and just are wanting something light for dinner, I usually make a savory "soup" with this protein. Dinner for me has to be savory (ie I can't have a sweet shake for a meal) so this is what I do (and it's going to sound weird, but oh well) - I blend some of this with a little garlic, tahini, and coconut milk gives you something a little like hummus. I've also mixed it with miso soup, which seems to go together in a rather odd way.I've also added this to veggie burger mixes or falafels - it actually tastes amazing in these, and gives it an extra dimension of flavor.Why do I do this instead of just using another better tasting protein? Because of all the proteins out there, I'm comfortable heating pea protein (ie to make a soup). I wouldn't do this with brown rice protein, for example, or unprocessed raw proteins (I like Garden of Life for my blended cold smoothies, for example.) So I can add this to baked dishes, soups, burgers, etc.It's also got a lot of "protein bang for the buck" - about 15 grams for 70 calories. It's very easy blendable - almost instantly mixes in some water - and not gritty in the least. The taste does not change when you add hot liquids to it (ie hot miso broth). And, a huge plus for me is that pea protein digests very easily and is great for sensitive stomachs. (as opposed to something like, say, hemp. My poor stomach shudders at the thought of that super-fibrous seed...)You might consider this an "advanced" protein for the adventurous supplementers out there, and it's certainly an acquired taste. If you're just "breaking into" the protein shake world, I'd start with Garden of Life Raw protein or a raw brown rice protein for a more palatable taste.Amazon does have a great price on it, though (as well as most of the other protein powders out there)The first time at least. It gets better.Long story short, my cholesterol is higher than it should be. So I made some dietary changes to address this. Now I now eat a largely plant-based diet with little to no meat. Part of my new routine is drinking a protein shake in the morning. I started with whey until I read the label a little closer and found that it contained a fair amount of cholesterol per scoop (which is counterproductive for my purposes).Thus began the quest for a cholesterol free protein powder. I tried hemp: low available protein, grassy taste and all but undrinkable. Then rice: bland and very gritty. IMO, pea protein is the best of the three plant-based proteins that I've tried. Sadly, that's not really saying much. This stuff tastes like peas. By which I mean, it *really* tastes like peas. And it has a strong aftertaste of peas. It begs for some kind of sweetener and even then the pea flavor will shine through on your tastebuds like a foglamp. Seriously, the first time I tried it I earnestly weighed the risk of going back to whey for my protein. Or steak. This wasn't straight, mind you. It was two scoops of the powder mixed with soy milk, frozen blueberries and some chia seeds.So why am I giving this four stars? Because whatever negative I may have to say about the taste, it does exactly what it's supposed to do. There's no cholesterol. It's bio-available. It blends very well in smoothies. It won't settle to the bottom of your glass like hemp (forming a great, grassy clump). It's not punishingly gritty like rice powder. And it doesn't clump like whey. I feel good after I drink it and it gives me more than enough energy to get through my morning. Finally, given a little stevia or NutraSweet it's definitely drinkable (though it still tastes like peas).Another reviewer suggested putting this in soup. I think this would be a fine addition to a vegetable soup.