How Is Protein Made for Shakes?
Protein for shakes, typically sold as protein powder, is made through a process of extraction and purification from various sources. The process varies depending on the protein source.
1. Source Material:
Protein powders originate from various sources, including:
- Milk: Whey and casein proteins are derived from milk. These are the most common types of protein powder. [Live Science, Wicked Protein, Vivo Life, Harvard Health]
- Plants: Soy, pea, rice, hemp, and potato proteins are examples of plant-based options. [Vivo Life, Harvard Health]
- Eggs: Egg white protein is another source, though less common. [Vivo Life]
2. Extraction and Processing:
The extraction process generally involves:
- Separation: Proteins are separated from other components (fat, lactose, etc.) of the source material. This often involves techniques like filtration and centrifugation. [Live Science, Wicked Protein]
- Concentration: The protein-rich fraction is then concentrated to increase protein content. [Live Science] This may involve methods like heat treatment or the use of enzymes. [Live Science]
- Drying: The concentrated protein is dried into a powder using techniques like spray drying. This creates the final protein powder product. [Wicked Protein]
3. Quality Control:
Before packaging, rigorous quality control measures ensure the product meets purity and safety standards.
Different Types of Protein Powders:
The resulting protein powder's properties vary depending on the source material and processing method, resulting in a variety of protein powders with different characteristics, including taste, digestibility, and amino acid profiles.
Making a Protein Shake:
Once you have the protein powder, making a shake is simply a matter of mixing it with liquid (water, milk, etc.) and adding other ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, or other flavorings, as desired. [The Kitchn, Eating Bird Food]
