High-Protein Shake Case Study
High-protein shakes look simple in the bottle, but creating the protein shake that wins customers is one of the toughest challenges in the beverage industry. Recently, we partnered with an FMCG brand that was ambitious to turn its concept into a market-ready product. And this high-protein shake case study is about them only, the challenges they, as well as we, as their development partner, faced, and how we solved them step-by-step with our science-proven solutions and industry insights.
So, let’s get into this roller coaster, but first, let’s have an overview of this brand.
Inside Brand’s Vision
- Brand-A confidential health-focused company
- Product- High-protein shake
- Mission- To create a clean-label protein-rich shake for today’s health-conscious consumers.
- Challenge- To get the great taste of the protein-shake, its smooth texture, and long-shelf stability while keeping it clean-label.
- Result- A consumer-approved high-protein shake which was ready for large-scale launch.
The client of this high-protein shake case study approached us with the vision to create a clean-label, RTD protein shake that would deliver high-quality nutrition while meeting the sensory expectations of the consumers.
But, as we all know, making a successful product comes with several challenges and problems, and the same happened in this high-protein shake case study.
Roadblocks Came During This High-Protein Shake Formulation
When the formulation process started for this high-protein shake case study, the challenges we faced were:
- 1. Protein Solubility- The early trials in the protein shake formulation showed that the mouthfeel was gritty and sedimentation was there because of poor protein dispersion.
- 2. Taste Masking of Protein- The natural proteins can taste bitter and can spoil the flavor and experience of the protein shake, so properly masking the taste is important for the market-ready product.
- 3. Texture & Consistency Of Shake- Our client wanted a creamy and smooth protein shake, and so balancing the creamy texture that is drinkable was a tough one, as it can nail or fail the product.
- 4. Shelf-life stability- The high-protein shake formulation had risks of separation during storage, so it was important to balance the shelf life of the product so that the product remains the same as it was on day one.
- 5. Clean label demands- The client wanted a clean label product, and so every ingredient needed to meet strict natural and regulatory compliance.
Our Approach & Solutions In This High-Protein Shake Case Study
Our R&D team of high-protein shake recipe formulation experts used scientific formulation methods and industry insights to fix all these challenges step-by-step:
- 1. Reformulate the protein mix- After several trials with whey, pea, and hybrid mixes, our R&D team identified a protein mix which have maximum solubility and digestibility for the high-protein shake.
- 2. Balancing natural taste- Our high-protein shake formulation consultant combined natural flavors with plant-based sweeteners and flavor modulators to balance the bitterness of the protein without synthetic additives.
- 3. Maintained creamy texture- We tested hydrocolloids and natural stabilizers to create a creamy and smooth mouthfeel that consumers will enjoy drinking.
- 4. Shelf life stability assurance- Our R&D team used advanced processing and better selection of ingredients to build a consistent stability of protein shake across its shelf life.
- 5. Clean-label compliance- We chose only those ingredients that meet FSSAI and global clean-label expectations, and making sure of regulatory compliance.
The Results That The Brand Itself Witnessed
- Consumers loved high-protein shakes as it has the quality of perfect balance between nutrition and taste.
- The product achieved a 12-month life even without sacrificing the clean-label positioning.
- The final high-protein shake recipe formulation reduced production costs by 15% per unit during scale-up and making it financially viable.
- The launch production indicated the potential of a ₹25–30 crore annual revenue opportunity, with scope to capture 3–5% share in the fast-growing protein beverage segment in India.
Don’t Just Compete, Lead The Market With The Right Product!
Great products don’t happen by chance; they are built with the right strategy and expertise. At Foodsure, we make sure your idea becomes a product that tastes amazing, stays stable, and wins over consumers. With us by your side, you’re not just entering the market, you’re leading it.
