Recent trends show coffee and protein go together almost as well as peanut butter and jelly. With the viral Starbucks protein coffee trend popping up everywhere, many coffee drinkers are seeking new ways to add protein into their morning brew. Yet, some experts say many of these versions rely on coffee, syrups, and protein powders that contain unwanted, hidden contaminants.
To help promote a healthier at-home version of this trend, Clean Label Project has crafted a copycat recipe that uses two, Clean Label Project-certified products to create a protein-packed coffee you can make at home (without the guilt). To get the scoop, we connected with Oliver Amdrup-Chamby, CEO and Founder of Puori, and Katie Tyson, Founder of Love Grown, to discover how to make this “cleaner” version of protein coffee at home (and why the ingredients you choose for your protein coffee matter).
The real ingredients in your protein powder
The protein coffee trend sounds great at first glance, but experts warn that consumers aren’t diving into what’s truly in their protein powder. “Protein powders are a broad category that includes a wide range of products, from plant-based proteins (such as pea, rice, or soy) to dairy-based proteins (like whey and casein), and animal-based sources such as collagen,” says Amdrup-Chamby.
“Despite their differences, they all have one thing in common, they originate from natural raw materials. Because these raw materials are grown or sourced from the natural environment, they are being exposed to environmental contaminants. Both heavy metals and pesticide residues can be present in soil and water. Crops may absorb heavy metals directly from contaminated soil and or water, and pesticide residues can remain on plant materials after harvesting. Similarly, animal-based ingredients can be indirectly exposed through feed and the surrounding environment,” he shares.
“Another important factor is that protein powders are often flavored to improve taste and overall consumer experience. These components, particularly cocoa powder are considered higher-risk ingredients. Cocoa, for example, are sometimes grown in regions where soils may naturally contain higher levels of heavy metals, and it can also be exposed to pesticide use during farming. When such ingredients are added, they can increase the overall contamination risk profile of the finished product.”
Choosing quality coffee
“Any product grown in soil is susceptible to the unintended consequences of farming practices, industrialization and the soil itself. As with any crop, coffee plants can absorb what’s naturally present in the soil, including trace heavy metals. For example, when gasoline contained lead, the exhaust from cars would waft over the soil allowing microscopic lead particles to land on the crops and contaminate soil for decades to come,” says Tyson.
“Like many crops grown in mineral-rich or volcanic soils, coffee can absorb naturally occurring trace metals. And, as with any crop, using pesticides is a simple way for farmers to improve crop yields. and coffee is grown in soil and sourced globally, so quality can vary depending on farming practices and environmental conditions.”
When searching for quality coffee brands, Tyson recommends that consumers look for transparency. “Third-party testing certifications — like Clean Label Project — clear sourcing information, and brands that openly talk about quality standards are all good signs. Organic certification can also reduce synthetic pesticide exposure, though it doesn’t address naturally occurring heavy metals,” she shares.
Why exposure matters
For many consumers, choosing higher quality ingredients often leads to a question: Do we really need to be concerned about cumulative exposure to trace contaminants from everyday foods like coffee and protein powder?
“For many people, the primary concern isn’t trace contaminants in food. It’s simply being able to put food on the table,” says Amdrup-Chamby. “Across large parts of the population, challenges like food insecurity, poor diet quality, overweight, and lifestyle-related diseases are far more immediate and pressing health issues. In that light, asking consumers to worry about cumulative exposure to trace contaminants can feel like a very privileged angle.”
“That said, we also know that many environmental contaminants accumulate over time both in ecosystems and in our bodies. Persistent substances such as certain heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals do not simply disappear. Even at low doses, research shows that some of these compounds can have severe adverse health effects, particularly with long-term exposure. So, while it may not be realistic to expect individuals to constantly monitor or manage this risk themselves, it is hard to ignore the science,” he shares.
How to make a cleaner protein coffee at home
Recreating the viral protein coffee at home is more than possible — it’s easy. Using fewer ingredients and selecting brands with no pesticides, heavy metals, or contaminants, delivers a cleaner, healthier version of this drink that’s safe for everyday consumption. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of Love Grown coffee or other clean, transparent brand
- 1 scoop Puori Whey Protein (vanilla or chocolate), or other clean, transparent brand
Method
- Brew 8 ounces of coffee and blend or shake with 1 scoop of protein powder.
- Blend until smooth and frothy
- Serve hot or iced with optional milk or natural sweeteners.
