Answer: Your protein powder smells ‘bad’ because of inherent odours, the additives, it’s expired, improper storage and the shaker bottle is unclean. It could be because of one, all, or a combination of the reasons. All of these are fixable, but you must store your product correctly.
Key takeaways:
- Additives can contribute to the bad ‘smell’ of your protein powder
- The source of your protein powder plays a big role in what type of smell is created.
- Finding a protein powder which has a desirable flavour is likely to have a positive odour
- Your unclean shaker bottle can give you the idea that your protein powder smells bad. It’s necessary to clean the bottle well
Why it smells so bad
- Inherent odours
Protein powders can have a variety of sources, which all have their own particular odour. Whey protein, which is made from the cheese production process, may smell slightly sour or dairy-like.
When I went to smell my own whey protein powder, there was clear dairy-like scent. Rice protein powder may smell earthy, neutral, nutty and grain like. Plant protein powders may smell earthy as well.
As you can tell, the very source of the protein powder has an impact on the smell of the protein powder. You may or may not like it, but the source certainly will be clear. The inherent odour of the protein powder will be potent if you mix it with water as well.
If you were to purchase a raw protein powder, one in which is not flavoured, this is when the odor of the protein powder will be it’s strongest because none of the additives are present. If you don’t like the inherent odor, one method is to pick a different protein powder.
- Additives
Majority of protein powders contain additives such as sweeteners, artificial flavours, thickeners, emulsifiers and gums in order to improve the taste and texture. The raw flavours of the protein powders may not be as enjoyable, so these are added to provide a more desirable taste.
However, what comes with these additives is an impact on the odor. These additives can create a strong odor within the protein powder, especially if they are synthetic compounds and/or they degrade over time. Sucralose is a popular artificial sweetener within protein powders.
When sucralose is exposed to heat (particularly high temperatures), it begins to degrade and chlorinated compounds are emitted. Another example is the preservative known as butylated hydroxytoluene. This is used to extend the shelf life of the protein powder, however, it can have a “faint musty, cresylic, phenolic odour”.
Not only can additives have a general smell that is bad to some people, but some of those additives when can emit an even stronger odor when cooking. This does depend on the type of additive present within your protein powder though.
- It’s expired
As with all foods, protein powder can expire over time, although it may take much longer than usual foods. This process is sped up if the product was not stored correctly.
When the powder is expired, contamination can occur which may result in the production of unpleasant smelling compounds like ammonia and sulfur. This strong smell is a sign that it is expired and is another reason for the foul smell.
- Improper storage
Unsuitable storage of your protein powder can accelerate the degradation and result in the growth of microorganisms, leading to changes in order. When you expose it to heat, humidity or air, oxidation of fats can happen. This basically means that off-flavours will be present.
Moreover, if the protein powder is left in a damp environment, moisture and mold can develop, which means that a musty or moldy odor can occur. Those times when you get a scoop of your protein powder and not properly zip it shut, or when you accidentally leave a bit of the opening increases the degradation process.
- Shaker bottle is unclean
It is not uncommon for you to put a few scoops in your shaker bottle and be met with an unfavourable smell. This has happened to myself a few times and I was quick to start blaming my protein powder.
However once I decided to put it in a different shaker, I realised that the bottle was the problem. Often, when you don’t properly clean your shaker bottle, it can start to smell. This can happen even if you rinse your shaker bottle straight away. Bacteria is responsible for the foul smell. There could be remains of milk, protein powder and whatever other ingredients you used in the bottle.
The deep crevices of your bottle could hold it and over time, through the expiration of the ingredients, the odour could increase. This is not a protein powder issue, but a cleanliness issue in your shaker bottle.
How to Fix
- To fix the smell
- One way to fix the smell is to pick a protein powder that has a favourable odor. You may need to experiment with different types of protein powders, ranging from whey, and casein, to plant-based and even insect protein powders. If the odor is a prominent issue for you, purchase a variety of different protein powders and identifying the one which has a nice odour to you.
- Another way is to identify a protein powder which has favourable additives. Some additives smell worse than others, whilst some protein powders have little to no additives. Artificial sweeteners certainly do have a strong odour, so be wary when picking one. For example, choosing a protein powder without butylated hydroxytoluene is one way to avoid a musty odour.
- The simplest way to fix the smell of protein powder is to consume the protein powder before the expiration date. Most protein powders last around 9-18 months and most people finish it long before this even happens. Bearing in mind of the expiration date is a simple way to avoid a strong odor from forming. Establishing a schedule to finish your protein powder before the expiration date is an efficient method to minimise odor growth.
- It is important to store your protein powder effectively. Keeping it away from moisture and damp environments (as directed by many manufacturers) is an effective way to keep the bad smell away. Placing it in your pantry or a cool and dry place that is accessible is recommended. High and away from moisture is normally best. Also, it is important to remember that you actually close your protein powder properly. Don’t close it halfway, close it properly and fully. Use a peg to strap it tight if needed
- The final way is to clean your shaker bottle effectively. Soaking it in warm water and soap for around 5-10 mins is a good start. This will loosten and soften the hard residue. Afterwards, scrub the bottle all around, ensuring not to miss a single area. This includes the metal ball as well. Then, rinse and wash it multiple times with warm water. Moving forward, after you have finished your protein shake, rinse and wash it straight away with soap. This will stop residue from forming and odour from arising. Both your protein powder and your shaker will no longer smell bad.
Frequently asked questions
- What do I do if it continues to smell bad?
If it continues to smell bad, repeatedly wash your shaker bottle, or even buy a new one (if the original bottle was beyond saving). If that does not work, alongside you buying other protein powders, the next method is to mask the smell. Opting for smoothies every time you use the protein powder will cover the smell effectively.
Use your favourite ingredeints that have favourable smells, such as bananas, berries, strawberries, peanut butter and other ingredients will overpower your protein powder.
- Where can I find the expiration date of my protein powder?
It should be visible on the packaging. On the sides, bottom or the top. If it is still not visible, emailing the manufacturer is a simple and effective way to identify the expiration date.
- Is it normal for protein powders to have an odour?
Yes, it is, especially with additives. The additives are used to create a certain flavour, so naturally, there would be an odour. Some odours are weaker than others, whilst some are stronger than others. Unless you purchase a raw protein powder, there is likely
