NOW FoodsSports Nutrition, Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, 80% Protein, Unflavored Powder, 2-Pound

Yeah it tastes like cardboard but what do you expect it's UNFLAVORED PROTEIN ISOLATE not creme brulee. I mix 50/50 with Now Pea Protein and two tablespoons of pure maple syrup and pound it down as soon as I hit the locker room after my workout. It's not bad. Not good but not bad. You want bad? Try pounding down citruline malate. I'm not sipping this in a Paris cafe. I'm using it to make gains without eating a lot of weird additives or gross flavorings and sweeteners like stevia (barf).If you want something that doesn't taste like cardboard out of the container, buy something else.

1) I like the performance I get with this protein, especially when I mix it with pea protein.2) This is raw rice protein - it's going to taste like earth or rice bran regardless of who makes it. It will also be hard to mix, so use a blender.3) I notice that the serving size is 5g, delivering 4g of protein. I'm convinced this is because of palatability; most people won't use much more than this without feeling overwhelmed by the flavor.4) You'll need to work on different recipes to hide the flavor, but this product delivers a hearty, healthy, protein source. Chocolate hides the flavor well, and banana/cinnamon can distract the tongue too!

Wow. The other reviewers were not kidding when they said this stuff tasted straight-up "foul." It really is some of the nastiest-tasting protein powder I have ever had. I tried mixing it with something sweet, and it has this tangy/bitter during-and-aftertaste that refuses to fade. It's absolutely horrendous. I think maybe it might work well under grapefruit juice... maybe? It would still be chalky, so that would still be totally gross. Like a chalky, grainy glass of bitter grapefruit juice with a hint of old cheese and aloe. I would want to return it, but I have already opened it. I'm glad it wasn't so expensive, but it was more than I would ever volunteer to pay for it given the circumstances. I was mixing this with the pea protein powder of the same brand (which is not so bad as this one) to get a complete protein source. It tasted so bad, and I had to figure out which one of them was ruining my drinks/meals. Definitely this one. For the love of Pete, get a different rice protein powder. The low carbs do not make up for anything.UPDATE (08/12/2016):Based on my previous review, I was able to concoct a somewhat acceptable sauce/soup using this protein powder. I made it into what tastes like a Creamy Citrus Parmesan Soup, using lemon flavoring along with some spices and coconut milk. It made sense out of all those flavors that I couldn't quite enjoy. Holy crap, I'm glad I can cook. Since I have figured out a somewhat decent way to utilize it, I will up my rating to at least 3 stars.UPDATE (08/13/2016):Just tried making a "Citrus-Vanilla Shake," but the bitterness is overwhelming. It's just palatable enough that I can get it down. It really does taste like aloe. Yuck. The "cheesy" flavor is only highlighted when it is mixed in with something savory. I guess, I was just determined to see if I could make it taste good, but I've failed. It cannot taste "good"... only "tolerable." I, at least, was able to get the "Citrus-Vanilla Shake" down faster than the soup. I'll use the rest of it because I don't want to be wasteful, but I'm so not purchasing this powder again.UPDATE (08/22/2016):Okay, so I figured out the fastest way to consume this stuff if you HAVE TO do it for the nutritional value... DON'T TRY TO MAKE IT TASTE GOOD. Just mix it with a good amount of water, and chug. Then you can enjoy whatever you were going to mix it into without it, and you get closer to your water requirement for the day. Problem solved. I appreciate the price and the nutritional profile, so maybe I'll give it one more star. The taste is downright appalling, but it serves its purpose, and keeps me satisfied for hours.

Pros:Sprouted grain so there are zero carbs.Zero total sugars.Unflavored.Good protein source.80% protein.No dairy.No soy.Value for money.Cons:Not organically grown.Notes:I use this everyday for my morning smoothie. LOL a morning without my smoothie is like a day without sunshine! My smoothie recipe follows.THESE INGREDIENTS ARE ALL AVAILABLE ON AMAZONSharon’s Superpowers SmoothieMakes 1 Serving - ½ before exercise and ½ after.Approximately 29.5 grams of protein.12 oz water3 Tbs NOW brand Sprouted Brown Rice Protein Powder, unflavored1 Tbs NOW brand Yellow Pea Protein Powder, unflavored¼ c Oat Groats or steel cut or rolled oats1 Tbs Flax seeds, whole or ground1 Tbs Chia seeds1-¼ tsp Turmeric, ground1 Tbs Raw Cacao Powder1/8 tsp ground ginger or ¼ tsp fresh grated1 Tbs Nettle Leaf (optional)1 medium stalk of Kale2 Ripe bananas in pieces (really ripe frozen bananas work best because they get sweeter when frozen)2 – 4 Tbs beets, roasted or raw OR ¼ c beet greens with stems (I prep in bulk & freeze these)1 c frozen berriesFor a blender of medium power this is what works for me:1) Place the first group of ingredients in blender jar. I use Ice Crush to break down kale; Chop; Puree for 30 seconds; liquify 15 seconds.2) Add bananas one at a time if frozen. Use Ice Crush, Chop, Puree.3) Add beets and berries. Ice Crush; Chop; Puree 30 seconds; Liquify 15 seconds.***********For a bulk supply of dry ingredients (@ 45-day supply) mix the following together thoroughly in a VERY large bowl and store in tightly sealed container in frig. Use 1/2 cup + 2 Tbs mix per smoothie:2 lb jar NOW brand Sprouted Brown Rice Protein Powder12 oz jar NOW brand Pea Protein Powder12 c Oat Groats or steel cut or rolled oats3 c Flax seeds, whole or ground3 c Chia seeds1-¼ c Turmeric, ground3 c Raw Cocoa Powder6 tsp ground ginger16 Tbs Nettle Leaf (optional)