Flavors Tried: Cold Brew, Creamy Coffee, Mocha Frappe, Caramel Frappe
Price: $30 for 15 servings ($2 per serving)
Nutrition: 80 Calories, 1g Carbs, 18g Protein, 125mg Caffeine
I’ve been a fan of the owner of Buff Chick Supplements for a long time, and I have a ton of respect for her and the business she’s built. When I finally got to try their new product, Buff Coffee, at the Arnold Expo, I was both excited and skeptical.
As a coffee snob who drinks black coffee every day, I wasn’t sure if a protein coffee could win me over. In the past, I’ve been pretty disappointed by coffee protein powders.
But spoiler alert: Buff Coffee blew me away.
At the expo, I tried the hazelnut latte and cappuccino flavors. The hazelnut latte had the perfect balance of sweetness and hazelnut flavor, tasting like a legit coffee with creamer, even though it was just mixed with water.
But the cappuccino flavor was the real winner for me. The subtle sweetness and cofee-forward flavor were perfect for a black coffee lover like myself.
Most protein coffee powders I’ve tried taste like cheap instant coffee mixed with protein powder. But Buff Coffee nailed it – it tastes like actual, good coffee.
After my initial review, the owner sent me four new flavors to try: cold brew, creamy coffee, mocha frappe, and caramel frappe, and I graciously accepted.
Each serving has 18 grams of protein from whey protein isolate and collagen, 80 calories, and 125mg of caffeine. For me, that’s the perfect amount of caffeine to make for a great preworkout option.
I tried these flavors as iced coffee, mixing them with both water and milk. While water works fine, milk is definitely the way to go for the best flavor and texture.
Buff Coffee Cold Brew
As a daily black cold brew drinker, I was thrilled about the plain cold brew flavor. The idea of drinking cold brew with added protein was very appealing to me.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. It tasted more like instant coffee mixed with unflavored protein powder, which doesn’t get me very excited. The protein taste was too prominent without any flavoring or sweetness to balance it out.
I could see maybe doctoring it up and enjoying it more, but with Buff Coffee’s delicious flavored options, that seems unnecessary. This one just wasn’t the cold brew I was hoping for, and I would pass on this one.
Buff Coffee Creamy Coffee
The creamy coffee flavor, on the other hand, had me hooked from the first sip. When mixed with milk, it tastes exactly like the iced coffee with creamer I used to drink when I first started getting into coffee.
It has the perfect hint of sweetness without going overboard, which is great for someone like me who doesn’t like overly sweet coffee drinks. If you enjoy simple, delicious iced coffee with a splash of creamer, you’ll love this one.
Unlike the cold brew flavor, you don’t taste the protein at all, and it just tastes like a delicious iced coffee drink.
Buff Coffee Mocha Frappe
The mocha frappe flavor is pretty damn good on its own. The chocolate flavor comes through without overpowering the coffee, and it’s not too sweet. It’s exactly what you want in a mocha flavor.
But when you mix this with chocolate milk, it’s a whole new ballgame. This combination is so delicious, I can’t even describe it. It’s become my go-to drink, whether I need a morning pre-workout boost or an afternoon pick-me-up.
I have zero notes for this flavor. Just buy it, mix it with chocolate milk (Fairlife chocolate milk is otherworldly), and prepare to be amazed.
Buff Coffee Caramel Frappe
I’m not usually a caramel coffee drinker, but I really enjoyed the caramel frappe flavor. The caramel is well-balanced and not overly sweet like many caramel-flavored products.
It’s definitely sweeter than the mocha or creamy coffee flavors, so if you have a sweet tooth, this is the one for you. But even with the extra sweetness, the caramel doesn’t overpower the coffee flavor, so I was still able to enjoy the coffee aspect.
If caramel coffee drinks are your thing, you’ll love this one.
Buff Coffee: Overall Thoughts
As a coffee snob, I never thought I’d say this, but Buff Coffee has completely won me over. It’s easily become my number one protein coffee choice.
While the cold brew flavor didn’t quite meet my high expectations, the other flavors more than make up for it. I’m absolutely addicted to the mocha frappe mixed with chocolate milk, and it has become a staple in my rotation that previously consisted of only black coffee.
If you’re looking for a protein coffee that actually tastes like good coffee and not just protein powder mixed with sadness, you’ve got to try Buff Coffee.
Take it from a coffee snob – it’s the best out there.
