Koia offers ready-to-drink protein shakes, nutrition shakes, and protein powders, maintaining a vegan positioning. Its offerings are intended to support convenience in nutrition, featuring less sugar and fewer artificial additives than many traditional drinks.
The brand’s protein offerings feature blends of plant proteins like pea and brown rice and include prebiotic fiber for digestive support.
In this review, we examine the brand’s offerings, including their nutrition profiles, ingredient choices, and how well the drinks fit into everyday diets. The review also explores the associated advantages and potential limitations of the brand.
About Koia
Koia positions itself as a nutrition support brand, emphasizing plant protein sources, low sugar formulations, and the inclusion of prebiotic fiber.
As per its official website, the brand’s offerings are labeled as non-GMO, gluten-free, kosher, and vegan, with formulations intended to balance protein intake and digestive support.
The brand’s core Protein Shakes line features 18g of plant protein, available in multiple flavor variants, including chocolate peanut butter, cinnamon horchata, coconut almond, matcha latte, cold brew coffee, and chocolate banana. Its Elite Shakes lineup features 32g of protein per bottle, with coffee, vanilla, chocolate, and cookies ‘n creme flavor variants. Such offerings rely on blended plant proteins such as pea, brown rice, and chickpea, combined with prebiotic fibers sourced from ingredients like agave and chicory root.
Koia’s Nutrition shake range provides 20g of protein per bottle alongside added nutrients (zinc, iron, magnesium, vitamin D, and biotin) to support a more comprehensive nutritional profile. The brand also offers Protein Powders and Elite Protein Powders, which are currently available in chocolate, vanilla, and elite vanilla flavors.
Koia Offerings
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Elite Protein Shakes
As per the official site, offerings in the Elite Protein Shakes provide 32 grams of protein, 210 calories, and 10–13 grams of total carbohydrates per 12 fl oz bottle. The range is intended to support higher protein intake needs, which helps promote muscle protein synthesis, satiety, and post-exercise recovery by delivering essential amino acids in a form that could be easy to digest.
The Elite Vanilla, Elite Chocolate, Elite Coffee, and Elite Cookies n’ creme options include pea protein, which is naturally rich in branched-chain amino acids involved in muscle repair and maintenance. Chicory root fiber in these offerings adds prebiotic support by feeding beneficial gut bacteria and slowing carbohydrate absorption. Avocado oil provides monounsaturated fats that aid nutrient absorption and improve texture without seed oils.
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Nutrition Shakes
Nutrition Shakes range delivers 20 grams of protein, 180 calories, and 3–5 grams of total sugars per 325 ml bottle. The range is structured for daily nutrition in a shelf-stable format that does not require refrigeration. Consuming protein may support muscle maintenance and fullness, while controlled calories make the shakes suitable for light meals, snacks, or filling nutritional gaps.
These shakes use Koia’s plant protein blend of brown rice, pea, and chickpea proteins, which together supply a complete amino acid profile without dairy or soy. Almond milk contributes fats that support nutrient absorption and texture. A blend of agave fiber and chicory root fiber provides prebiotic fiber, supporting digestive health and a more stable blood sugar response.
Formulations in the Nutrition Shakes range also include 21 vitamins and minerals that support energy metabolism, immune function, bone health, and cellular repair. B vitamins may support the nervous system and energy pathways. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc support bone structure, muscle function, and enzymatic activity. These Nutrition Shakes are also available in Vanilla Bean, Cacao Bean, Cold Brew Coffee, and Chocolate Banana flavor options.
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Protein Shakes
Protein Shakes range contains 18 grams of protein per 12 fl oz bottle with around 190 calories and 4 grams of low sugar content. The range is designed for regular use to support muscle maintenance, fullness, and steady energy without dairy or soy. Protein comes from a blend of brown rice, pea, and chickpea proteins, which supply essential amino acids needed for muscle repair, enzyme production, and metabolic function.
Almond milk in the formulations provides unsaturated fats that support absorption and texture, while sunflower lecithin improves emulsification and supplies phospholipids involved in cell membrane structure.
The shakes also comprise prebiotic fiber from agave and chicory root fibers. These fibers ferment in the colon, supporting beneficial gut bacteria, short-chain fatty acid production, digestive regularity, and gut barrier function.
The Protein Shakes range comes in multiple flavor options, including Cold Brew Coffee, Coconut Almond, Vanilla Bean, Cinnamon Horchata, Banana Creme, Matcha Latte, and Cacao Bean.
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Kids Protein Shakes
Kids Protein Shakes provide 110 to 120 calories, 9 grams of protein, around 4 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of total sugars per 8 fl oz bottle. These shakes are available in three flavors, including Vanilla, Chocolate, and Fruity cereal flavors.
Pea protein in the shakes supplies essential amino acids needed for growth, tissue repair, and muscle development. Oat milk contributes complex carbohydrates and beta-glucans that support sustained energy release and moderate blood sugar response.
Fiber from blue agave and an organic fruit and vegetable blend acts as a prebiotic, supporting gut bacteria, bowel regularity, and immunity.
The Kids Protein Shakes range also features calcium and vitamin D, which help support bone development and growth. It also features iron to support oxygen transport and cognitive function, while B vitamins support energy metabolism and nervous system health.
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Protein Powders
As per its official website, Protein Powders from Koia deliver 20 grams of plant-based protein, 150-160 calories, 11-13g of total carbohydrates, and 3g of sugar across Vanilla and Chocolate flavors. The brand also offers an Elite Vanilla flavor variant, featuring 210 calories, 32g of protein, and 13g of total carbs per serving.
Pea protein’s digestibility may support both exercise recovery and everyday protein needs while reducing gastrointestinal discomfort associated with heavier protein sources.
Chicory root fiber provides prebiotics, which help support satiety and moderate post-meal blood sugar response. Sweetness comes from cane sugar and monk fruit extract, keeping sugar low while maintaining taste.
Koia Advantages
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Low Sugar, High Protein Brand
Koia’s flagship line, Koia Protein, contains approximately 18 grams of plant-based protein and 4 to 6 grams of sugar per 12-ounce bottle, depending on the flavor.
Meanwhile, many traditional dairy-based protein shakes or smoothies contain 15 to 20 grams of sugar. This nutritional composition supports Koia’s claim of offering a cleaner, lower-sugar option for consumers seeking protein-rich beverages without excessive carbohydrates or artificial sweeteners.
Koia achieves this nutrient profile through the use of a tri-blend plant protein system consisting of pea protein, brown rice protein, and chickpea protein. This combination may provide you with a complete amino acid profile, delivering both essential and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that support muscle maintenance and recovery. Each bottle typically contains between 200 and 210 calories, with 6 to 8 grams of healthy fats derived from natural sources such as almonds and sunflower seeds, which contribute to satiety and stable energy levels.
To maintain low sugar content, Koia replaces refined sugar with natural, non-nutritive sweeteners such as stevia leaf extract and monk fruit extract, both of which are plant-derived and calorie-free. The carbohydrates in each serving come primarily from fiber sources like inulin and chicory root fiber, which contribute 9 to 12 grams of dietary fiber per serving. These prebiotic fibers help slow digestion, support gut health, and moderate blood sugar spikes after consumption.
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Dairy-Free Positioning
Koia claims to be a dairy-free brand, formulating all of its drinks exclusively with plant-based and non-dairy, that support clean-label nutrition and allergen-free consumption.
The company’s products are formulated using a proprietary blend of pea, brown rice, and chickpea proteins, providing complete amino acid coverage without the use of dairy protein sources.
To achieve creaminess and smooth texture without milk or soy, Koia uses almond milk and coconut cream bases. These ingredients replace dairy fat with plant-based oils that provide natural richness and mouthfeel.
For example, products like Vanilla Bean and Cacao Bean are formulated with almond milk as the liquid base, creating a smooth, creamy consistency without lactose or whey proteins.
The brand also claims that its manufacturing facilities follow strict allergen control standards to ensure products remain completely free from dairy and soy contamination. Production lines are dedicated to plant-based processing only, and all suppliers are vetted for compliance with non-dairy and non-soy sourcing requirements.
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Broad Retail Store Presence
Koia claims to maintain a broad retail store presence across the United States, positioning its plant-based drinks within both mainstream and natural grocery channels. The brand reports that its products are currently available in over 35,000 locations nationwide, spanning major supermarket chains, health-focused stores, and convenience outlets. This extensive distribution network allows Koia to compete directly with established functional beverage brands in the refrigerated plant-based category.
The company’s products are carried by major retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Target, Walmart, Sprouts Farmers Market, CVS, and 7-Eleven, as well as regional grocery chains like Kroger, H-E-B, and Albertsons. Placement within these high-traffic national chains gives Koia a strong retail footprint in both the natural products segment and the mass-market beverage sector. Koia claims that this accessibility supports its mission to make clean, plant-based protein drinks available to a wider consumer base beyond niche wellness stores.
Koia’s retail offerings typically occupy the refrigerated beverage section, where the brand’s ready-to-drink shakes are displayed alongside competitors in the protein and functional nutrition category. Each 12-ounce bottle is cold-stored to preserve freshness, as the beverages are free from artificial preservatives and rely on natural stabilization through cold-chain distribution.
Koia Limitation
Minimal Sustainability Information
Koia emphasises its plant-based, non-GMO, and low-sugar positioning, which appeals to eco- and health-conscious consumption. However, when it comes to formal sustainability reporting, there is a lack of detailed public disclosure on key environmental metrics. There are no readily accessible documents that provide end-to-end assessments of ingredient sourcing (such as water use, land-use impact, or supplier certifications), nor are there published carbon footprint or packaging lifecycle reports.
Further, although Koia lists individual product nutrition panels (for example, 18 g plant protein, 4 g sugar, 7 g fiber for the Matcha Latte SKU) there is minimal insight into the company’s packaging sustainability practices. The publicly available information does not specify the percentage of recycled content in bottles, the recyclability rates of packaging in consumer markets, or the company’s targets or progress in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions across manufacturing and supply chain operations.
Pros
- Offers a diverse range of plant-based offerings, including protein drinks, powders, and nutrition shakes.
- Maintains a clean ingredient philosophy by positioning its offerings as free from dairy, gluten, artificial colors, flavors, and added sugar.
- The brand uses plant-based protein sources such as peas and fava beans in its protein drinks, appealing to vegan and vegetarian needs.
- Offers free U.S. shipping on purchases worth $50 or more.
Cons
- The brand leans heavily on taste and convenience, with limited emphasis on quality certifications or independent clinical validation of offerings.
- A few users noted delays in order shipment and unresponsive support from the brand’s care team.
Koia Alternatives
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OWYN
OWYN functions as a plant-based nutrition brand built around dairy-free protein shakes and powders formulated for compatibility with multiple dietary restrictions and ingredient sensitivities.
The brand frames its identity around simplicity and allergen awareness, emphasizing that its offerings exclude the use of dairy, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish, artificial ingredients, and sugar alcohols. Its ready-to-drink portfolio is structured into clearly defined functional tiers.
Standard Protein Shakes feature 20 grams of plant-based protein per bottle with fiber and added prebiotics. Core flavors in this range include Dark Chocolate, Smooth Vanilla, Strawberry Banana, Cold Brew Coffee, Cookies and Creamless, and seasonal flavors such as Pumpkin Spice.
Pro Elite High Protein Shakes range from the brand raises protein content to 32 grams per bottle with zero sugar and added fiber, targeting higher protein needs such as post-workout or meal supplementation.
Some flavors in the range include Sea Salted Caramel, No Nut Buttercup, Chocolate, and Smooth Vanilla. The brand also offers Doubleshot Protein Coffee Shakes, which pair 20g of protein with caffeine and zero sugar. The range is positioned for energy support and is available in flavor options such as Mocha Latte, Vanilla Latte, and Caramel Macchiato.
OWYN also offers Protein Powders with 20 grams of protein per serving and Pro Elite Protein Powders with 30 grams per serving, available in multiple tub sizes. Flavor options in the Protein Powders range include Vanilla, Chocolate, and Smooth Vanilla.
Distribution combines direct-to-consumer sales with retail availability, supported by subscriptions offering a 10% discount and flexible management. Bundles and build-your-own packs allow mixing formats and flavors. Brand messaging maintains a functional, safety-first tone, emphasizing allergen testing, clean labels, and exclusion.
Koia operates as a plant-based drinks and nutrition brand focused on ready-to-drink protein shakes and powders that balance taste, convenience, and nutritional density.
The brand positions its offerings around creamy texture, low sugar content, and routine usability. It also emphasizes dairy-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher-certified formulations with added prebiotic fiber. Its core Protein Shake lineup delivers 18 grams of protein per bottle, positioned for daily consumption. Flavor offerings under the range include Vanilla Bean, Cacao Bean, Chocolate Banana, Cold Brew Coffee, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Coconut Almond, Banana Crème, and Cocoa Cereal. Koia’s Nutrition Shake lineup increases protein to 20 grams per bottle while lowering sugar to roughly 3 grams, with the offerings available in Cacao Bean, Cold Brew Coffee, and Vanilla Bean flavors.
The brand’s Elite line aligns more closely with high-protein offerings by delivering 32 grams of plant-based protein per bottle, paired with approximately 4 grams of sugar. Elite flavors include Vanilla, Chocolate, Coffee, and Cookies ’n Creme. Koia also offers Protein Powders and Elite Protein Powders designed for smoothies or home preparation, with standard powders providing 20 grams of protein and Elite powders matching the higher protein tier.
The brand’s distribution model pairs direct-to-consumer subscriptions with extensive national retail presence across 35,000 retail stores, including major grocery and natural food chains. Subscription savings are tiered by delivery frequency, with free shipping thresholds reinforcing scale and accessibility.
OWYN and Koia overlap in plant-based protein delivery and mid-range pricing while diverging sharply in emphasis. OWYN differentiates through comprehensive allergen-free positioning, tightly controlled formulations, and a safety-first identity. Koia differentiates through flavor diversity, texture, and broad retail availability, appealing to those who prioritize enjoyment and routine integration.
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Rebbl
Rebbl and Koia both focus on ready-to-drink protein options designed to fit into everyday routines while aligning with evolving dietary preferences. However, the separation between the brands appears in their core philosophies, range of offerings, quality standards, sustainability, and accessibility.
The Rebbl brand frames its identity around plant-based functional nutrition paired with a defined social and environmental mission. Its product portfolio is anchored in refrigerated, ready-to-drink functional shakes that combine plant-based protein with adaptogens. Rebbl’s core lineup is divided into 20g, 32g, and Plant-based protein shakes.
All offerings in the brand’s 20g protein shakes lineup are USDA Certified Organic, which are available in multiple flavors, including Peppermint Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Vanilla, Hazelnut Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana, and Oatmeal Cookie. Within this tier, the Awake Plus Protein line introduces functional additions such as lion’s mane and caffeine sources, with flavors like Lion’s Mane Lavender Tea Latte and Lion’s Mane Cold Brew Latte.
Rebbl’s higher protein tier delivers 32grams of protein per bottle and is positioned for more intensive protein needs. These products are positioned as non-GMO, feature 4g of sugar or less, and include adaptogens such as reishi. Such offerings are available in chocolate, vanilla, and cookies & creme flavors.
Rebbl also produces adaptogen-focused drinks, such as Revive Reishi Chocolate and Balance Maca Mocha, reinforcing an emphasis on adaptogenic function rather than protein alone.
Meanwhile, Koia organizes its lineup more explicitly around protein tiers and flavor breadth. Its core Protein Shake line provides eighteen grams of protein per bottle, available in multiple flavor options, including Cold Brew Coffee, Coconut Almond, Banana Creme, Fruity Cereal, Matcha Latte, Chocolate Banana, Maple Pecan, and Peppermint Mocha.
The Elite lineup features 32g of protein per bottle, available in Cookies n Creme, Coffee, Vanilla, and Chocolate flavors. Koia’s Nutrition shake lineup features 20g of protein per bottle alongside added nutrients (iron, vitamin D, potassium, zinc, and magnesium) to support a more complete nutritional profile. The brand further expands its lineup to include Protein Powders and Elite Protein Powders.
Distribution and accessibility create a clear contrast between the brands. Rebbl’s offerings require refrigeration, as they are perishable products that are flash pasteurized using a gentler thermal process rather than high-pressure pasteurization. Availability of its offerings is limited to brick and mortar retail, with placement in major United States chains including Whole Foods Market, Target, Sprouts, Kroger, Safeway, and Natural Grocers.
On the other hand, Koia operates a hybrid model, combining extensive national retail distribution with a direct-to-consumer storefront that supports subscriptions, tiered savings, flexible delivery scheduling, and free shipping thresholds, enabling both routine in-store purchasing and repeat online ordering.
How Did We Evaluate?
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Brand Credibility
To evaluate Koia, we looked at the brand’s background, operational history, and presence across independent review platforms.
On TenereTeam, the brand holds a 4.0 out of 5 score based on a limited number of reviews. While the available reviews reflect generally favorable sentiment, the limited number of reviews means they are framed around qualitative themes rather than scale.
Many users appreciated the brand’s plant-based positioning, flavor variety in protein drinks, and non-GMO and dairy-free status. However, a few users noted a chalky or gritty texture, which affected their consistency expectations.
Beyond TenereTeam, the brand maintains limited visibility across other established review platforms such as Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and ConsumerAffairs. The brand’s narrower footprint may reduce the breadth of independent verification available for reputation analysis.
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Real Consumer Reviews
In evaluating the brand, we looked at real user feedback for the brand’s core offerings on Amazon to observe the patterns around user satisfaction, perceived benefits, and reported challenges.
On Amazon, the Plant-Based Protein Powder Vanilla holds a rating of around 4.4 out of 5 stars based on over 150 ratings. Many users frequently described the taste as pleasant and notably free from the chalky aftertaste common in many plant-based protein powders. Many users highlighted that the powder blended easily with cold water, almond milk, or yogurt without forming clumps. However, some mention about its texture inconsistency, reporting a gritty mouthfeel even when blended. A few users also noted packaging drawbacks, such as the absence of a scoop with their received package.
The Plant-Based Protein Shake Cacao Bean also maintains a 4.4 out of 5 rating across 1000+ reviews shared across Amazon. Customers often describe the shake as creamy, smooth, and flavorful, highlighting its 20 grams of protein, low sugar content, and suitability as a quick breakfast or meal replacement.
Many users cited benefits such as improved energy, stable blood sugar levels, and reduced nausea. However, a few users experienced occasional quality control issues such as damaged packaging or missing bottles.
Our evaluation of the brand’s user feedback indicates that Koia is well regarded for taste, nutritional balance, and convenience across both powdered and ready-to-drink formats. However, concerns around pricing, texture consistency in the powder, and packaging quality appear repeatedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not during the fasting window. Across its Protein, Elite, and Nutrition ranges, the brand’s drinks feature around 180–230 calories, 18–32g of protein, and 10–14g of total carbohydrates, which triggers an insulin response and ends the fasted state. The brand’s drinks are better suited for eating windows as a protein snack or post-workout option.
The brand’s core protein offerings may provide modest electrolyte support via inclusion of sodium and potassium. Select flavors, such as Cold Brew Coffee and Chocolate Peanut Butter, include added potassium citrate for light post-workout support. However, the brand’s protein offerings are not positioned specifically for electrolyte replenishment or hydration.
The brand’s protein offerings, including shakes and powders, use a proprietary plant protein blend made from brown rice protein, pea protein, and chickpea protein. Such a tri-blend intends to provide all nine essential amino acids that may aid in muscle recovery, growth, and satiety.
Conclusion
Koia reflects a lifestyle-oriented approach to plant-based protein, with a clear emphasis on taste, convenience, and everyday usability rather than clinical or performance-driven nutrition. The brand also emphasizes a vegan positioning and broad retail accessibility across more than 35,000 retailers.
However, the brand’s lifestyle-led presentation may feel insufficient if you are looking for a brand that prioritizes scientific validation, independent review of product claims, or visible performance benchmarks. It is important to note that the brand’s protein offerings often feature nuts, such as almonds and coconuts, and are produced in facilities that process tree nuts. This might contribute to a potential risk of nut allergies, warranting proper review of ingredient labels to evaluate such risks.
Before opting for Koia’s offerings, it is worth considering your personal protein needs, any existing nut allergies, budget, and expectations around formulation transparency. Doing so may help determine whether the brand matches your specific fitness goals and dietary preferences.
- About the Author
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Alisha Matthew has been a practicing nutritionist since 2016. She holds a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of IOWA. She is a staunch believer in improving the human health index by educating people about nutrition and the importance of nutrition in leading a healthy and happy life. Her long-term goal is to keep educating people on general health and keep herself updated with the latest trends in the field of health.