KOS Organic Plant Protein Powder Vegan & All in One Shake Vanilla Flavored 39.15 Oz

What it is

KOS Organic Plant Protein is a USDA Organic, vanilla-flavored plant protein powder sold in a jar of 39.15 oz (2.4 lb / 1110 g) holding about 30 servings. A serving is 2 scoops (37 g) and supplies 150 calories and 20 g of protein. The protein comes from plants rather than from dairy: organic pea protein heads the ingredient list, and organic pumpkin seed protein, organic quinoa, organic flax seed and organic chia seed are named further down it.

The front of the jar is lettered Nature-Powered KOS above the tagline Scoop, Shake, Smile. The back panel carries the USDA Organic seal and the line “Certified Organic by CCOF. Made in the USA. Foods grown in the USA and other countries.” It is distributed by KOS Inc., 27 W Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

What’s inside

Everything in this section is transcribed from the ingredient panel on the jar. The list is a long one, so it is worth walking through in groups.

The protein base. Organic pea protein is the first ingredient. Peas are a legume crop, and pea protein is made by separating the protein fraction out of dried peas. Organic pumpkin seed protein appears later in the list, with organic quinoa, organic flax seed and organic chia seed alongside it — seed and pseudocereal ingredients that are common in plant-based blends.

Organic coconut milk. This is the second ingredient on the list. Coconut is classified as a tree nut under United States allergen-labeling rules, which is why the allergen line on the jar reads “Contains Tree Nuts (Coconuts).”

Sweetening and flavor. Organic coconut sugar, organic stevia extract and organic monk fruit extract are all listed, along with organic vanilla flavor.

Texture and fiber. Organic inulin and organic acacia gum are both listed. Inulin is a soluble fiber found in chicory root and other plants; acacia gum is the dried sap of the acacia tree and is used in food as a thickener and stabilizer.

Organic Fruit and Veggie Blend. The panel names this blend’s seven components in full: organic apple, organic carrot, organic cranberry, organic orange, organic broccoli, organic shiitake mushroom extract and organic tomato. Himalayan salt is listed separately.

Digestive Enzyme Blend. Five enzymes are named — amylases, lactase, proteases, lipase and cellulase. Enzymes of this kind are routinely included in plant protein blends; the panel does not print an amount for the blend or for any enzyme in it.

KOS Vitamins and Minerals Blend. The jar names the specific forms used in this blend: DL-alpha tocopherol, manganese amino acid chelate, potassium iodide, zinc oxide, selenium amino acid chelate, molybdenum amino acid chelate, copper oxide, riboflavin, niacinamide, phylloquinone, chromium picolinate, folic acid and cyanocobalamin.

Several of the nutrients listed on this panel have plain-language background pages published by the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, describing what each one is and how much adults generally need. Those pages are general reference material about the nutrient and are not about this product: iron, vitamin E, vitamin B12, selenium and zinc.

Nutrition Facts

The panel footnote reads: “The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.”

Ingredients, as printed: Organic Pea Protein, Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Inulin, Organic Flax Seed, Organic Acacia Gum, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Organic Quinoa, Organic Stevia Extract, Organic Fruit and Veggie Blend (Organic Apple, Organic Carrot, Organic Cranberry, Organic Orange, Organic Broccoli, Organic Shiitake Mushroom Extract, and Organic Tomato), Himalayan Salt, Organic Pumpkin Seed Protein, Organic Monk Fruit Extract, Organic Chia Seed, Digestive Enzyme Blend (Amylases, Lactase, Proteases, Lipase, Cellulase), KOS Vitamins and Minerals Blend (DL-Alpha Tocopherol, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Potassium Iodide, Zinc Oxide, Selenium Amino Acid Chelate, Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Oxide, Riboflavin, Niacinamide, Phylloquinone, Chromium Picolinate, Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin). Contains Tree Nuts (Coconuts).

How to use it

The suggested use printed on the jar is to mix one serving — 2 scoops, 37 g — into 8 to 12 fluid ounces of cold water or a non-dairy drink, then blend it or shake it in a shaker cup. The panel lists two further ways to use the powder: adding 2 scoops to a smoothie or shake, and substituting it for part of the flour in a baking recipe.

For storage, the jar says to keep it in a cool, dry place and not to use it if the safety seal is broken or missing. It also notes that the product is packaged by weight rather than by volume, that this is an organic product subject to clumping, and that settling may occur.

Who it’s for

This is a plant protein powder for adults who want a vanilla-flavored protein drink made without dairy, gluten or soy ingredients. At 39.15 oz it is a full-size jar of about 30 servings, which suits someone buying a powder they already use regularly rather than a single-serving sample. The micronutrient blend is mixed into the powder itself, so the vitamins and minerals on the panel arrive in the same scoop as the protein.

You can compare it against the rest of our protein powders, and it is also filed under Body Care.

Good to know

• Allergens. The jar states “Contains Tree Nuts (Coconuts)” and adds: “Made in a facility that may also process eggs, dairy, soy, tree nuts, sesame, peanuts, fish, crustaceans, and wheat products.”
• Before use. The jar reads: “Consult your physician before use if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking any medication.”
• Keep out of the reach of children. Printed on the panel.
• Certifications shown on the jar. USDA Organic; Certified Organic by CCOF; Non GMO; Plant Based; Produced in a GMP Certified Facility; Made Without Gluten; Made Without Dairy; Made Without Soy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many servings are in the 39.15 oz jar?

About 30. The Nutrition Facts panel on the 1110 g jar gives a serving size of 2 scoops (37 g) and states “About 30 servings.”

Does KOS Organic Plant Protein Vanilla contain dairy, gluten or soy?

No — none of the three appears in the ingredient list, and the jar carries Made Without Dairy, Made Without Gluten and Made Without Soy marks. It does contain tree nuts: coconut milk is the second ingredient and the allergen line reads “Contains Tree Nuts (Coconuts).” The panel also states that it is made in a facility that may process eggs, dairy, soy, tree nuts, sesame, peanuts, fish, crustaceans and wheat products.

How much liquid should I mix two scoops with?

Eight to twelve fluid ounces of cold water or a non-dairy drink, which is the suggested use printed on the jar, then blend it or shake it in a shaker cup.

Is this powder certified organic, and where is it made?

Yes — the jar carries the USDA Organic seal and the statement “Certified Organic by CCOF.” The same panel reads “Made in the USA. Foods grown in the USA and other countries,” and the product is distributed by KOS Inc. of Santa Barbara, California.

How is my order packaged?

Your order ships in plain outer packaging with no product imagery and nothing on the outside describing the contents. It will not show the Gear Isle name.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe product specifications directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition or a known allergy to any listed ingredient. Keep out of reach of children.