Xapp is a great new product, tapping into a category which is still mostly untapped. Caffeinated protein drinks are still hard to find, even though Kronik and Boo Koo have both released stellar caffeinated workout energy protein drinks too. The difference is that this one is carbonated - which their literature says is the first to do so. Contrary to this, the first one I tried was Protegy, which was reviewed in December, 2009 (http://www.possessedbycaffeine.com/2009/12/protegy-protein-energy.html). Still, this drink is quite cool, and has a whole lot going for it.
Buzz:10
Unlike Protegy, this can does not add any vitamins or minerals or any of that stuff.This is basically whey protein isolate and caffeine. There is also some leucine to help repair broken muscle, and is "Xapped" with nitrogen. Each can contains 25g of protein from whey, as well as electrolyte refueling potassium and magnesium to help recover from a workout like a sports drink will. On top of that, XAPP Protein Energy has 93mg of caffeine which might not be that much for a 16oz drink, but you can really feel it in the gym. On top of that, it has only 1 gram of sugar and 100 calories, so working off a can does not take an hour. I loved it, and loved how it made me feel during a hard muscle-cardio combo day.
While workout drinks might not be for everyone, if you are already taking a protein shake or mixing up eggs and peanut butter, a can of Zapp might be what you are really looking for.
Taste:8
Imagine a sugar-free yoplait yogurt, only carbonated. I would never this is bad - especially for protein drink standards - but I would not say it was terribly tasty either. I am a fan of yogurt, and a fan of whey drinks for that matter, but the fake berry sourness left my mouth dry and thirsty - not the best thing to feel when you are halfway through your running program.
On opening, the can gives off a strong berry flavor - which is very pleasing. also, after the first drink, the initial taste is very pleasant. I like yogurt drinks, and adding fizz did not seem to hurt it. However, the taste gets sour and stays there. I wish the drink kept rich and creamy, but the sour berry and artifical sugar overwhelms the palate leaving a bitter fake medicinal taste on the tongue. This, plus a light film let on the back of the tongue from the whey did not win me over.
Another weird thing I noticed while drinking this is having sour burps all throughout my workout. As I go to a ghetto gym, people don't care all too much, as long as it is not smelly and in their direction. Overall, this was not a bad choice for before the gym, but it is nothing I would take if I went to a meat-markety workout club or someplace that cares that you don't workout in holey sweatshorts and paint spattered t-shirts.
Packaging:9
This can rocks. I would never feel ashamed taking this into any gym, regardless if it was my regular gym, or the 200$ a month one down the street. It looks much cooler than I do - thats for sure. It is bright red and carbon fibered, with easy to read text that seems a little hip - but still quite pretty.
Functionally, It does everything right. They print their caffeine amount as well as potassium and magnesium too. They list all their ingredients in a very nice big font. colrs are nice - they double face the can, the printing quality is above par and they even put the lid on both cans facing outwards, so the drink name is pointing out while you drink.
While this is not innovative or unique, they do hit every mark and are technically perfect.
http://www.energyfiend.com/2011/03/xapp-protein-energy-and-recovery-drinks
http://www.thesodajerks.net/soda-reviews/2011/4/2/xapp.html
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