ESN

What is the ESN Designer Protein Bar?

The ESN Designer Protein Bar is a 45 g protein bar, coated and filled, designed to deliver protein in a format that fits in a pocket. What sets it apart is the way it is sweetened: sugar is very largely replaced here by maltitol, a polyol. That choice explains both its appeal and its main limitation, and we will go into both.

The protein base is a blend of milk proteins and soy protein isolate. Then come maltitol, cocoa butter, glycerol as a humectant — it is what stops the bar from going hard — whole milk powder, and finally the elements specific to each flavour. The list above is the one for the Almond Coconut version; the composition changes from one flavour to another, particularly where nuts are concerned.

The flavours listed: Almond Coconut, Cinnamon Cereal, Dark Chocolate Salted Almond, Dark Cookie White Choc, Fudge Brownie, Hazelnut Nougat, Peanut Caramel, White Chocolate Pistachio, Strawberry Yogurt, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Strawberry White Chocolate and White Chocolate Raspberry. The German brand is stocked here in our ESN section.

What does a 45 g bar contain?

Figures taken from the Almond Coconut flavour. They vary from one flavour to another — a white chocolate pistachio version does not have the same fat profile as a raspberry one. Read the label on the bar you are buying if you are counting to the gram.

14 g of protein for 166 kcal is the figure that justifies the purchase. Protein here supplies around a third of the bar's energy, which allows the nutrition claim “high protein” within the meaning of the European regulation. In practical terms, you are roughly halfway between a Greek yoghurt and a shake: it is not a serving of whey, but it is well above what a supermarket cereal bar provides.

1.4 g of sugars per bar — that is 3.2 g per 100 g — allows the claim “low sugars”. Let us be plain about it, because the confusion is common: this is not a “sugars-free” bar. That particular wording would require less than 0.5 g per 100 g, and we will not be using it. The sugar has been replaced by 11 g of maltitol per bar, a polyol that provides sweetness and around 2.4 kcal per gram instead of 4.

The line to watch, on the other hand, is the 7.2 g of fat, of which 3.8 g is saturates. That is what sets this bar apart from a shake: it is richer, more filling, and more calorific for the same protein. That is neither good nor bad in itself — it is information to factor in if you are counting your calories.

How does this bar fit into the day?

Dose: 1 bar of 45 g. Liquid: none, but have a glass of water to hand, the texture is dense. Timing: as a snack between meals, after a session, or at the end of a meal. Frequency: 1 to 2 a day at most, for the reason explained below. Duration: none, this is a food.

The most honest use case is the stopgap snack. A day when you have no time to eat properly, a trip, a late afternoon where the real alternative is the vending machine: there, 14 g of protein for 166 kcal solves the problem better than a croissant. After training, it does the job if you have no shaker to hand, and no more than that.

A storage remark that matters: keep it between 15 and 20 °C, away from direct heat. Left in a car in summer, the coating melts and the bar becomes impossible to eat cleanly. Conversely, straight out of a fridge it hardens noticeably — let it come back to room temperature for ten minutes.

Do not use it as a meal replacement. It has neither the volume, nor the composition, nor the micronutrients of a meal. It is a snack, and if you eat three a day to avoid cooking, you are making life harder rather than easier — a tub of protein powder costs less per serving and takes thirty seconds to prepare.

Who is this bar for, and who is it not for?

It suits anyone looking for a portable protein source, anyone who dislikes shakes, and anyone who wants something sweet that is compatible with a weight-loss goal without resorting to shop-bought cakes.

It is not for you if you tolerate polyols badly. That is the point to know before buying, not after. The manufacturer carries the regulatory statement: excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. With 11 g of maltitol per bar, two bars in a day are enough to cause bloating, wind or intestinal discomfort in sensitive people. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, stick to one, or give it a miss.

Allergens: the bar contains MILK, SOYA and, depending on the flavour, NUTS. Traces of GLUTEN and PEANUTS are possible. The almond, hazelnut and pistachio flavours are obviously the ones most concerned — check the flavour as much as the product.

What not to expect from it: this is not a slimming product. 166 kcal are still 166 kcal, and a bar added to an already complete day is a more calorific day. Its value lies in replacing something else, not in being added on top. Nor is it a performance product, and maltitol is in no way an active ingredient: it is a bulk sweetener.

A protein bar or a whey shake?

That is the real question, and the answer depends entirely on your day. Let us compare like with like: 14 g of protein here for 166 kcal, against roughly 22 to 24 g of protein for 110 to 120 kcal in a standard serving of concentrated whey.

The shake wins on the numbers, and it wins by a wide margin: more protein, fewer calories, a lower cost per serving. If your aim is to cover a daily protein total at the best possible ratio, the powder is the rational choice, no argument.

The bar wins on everything else, and that everything else counts for more than people think. It calls for no shaker, no water and no rinsing. It can be eaten on the train, in a meeting, between two appointments. It is chewed, so it satisfies more than a liquid of the same calorie count. And above all, it actually gets eaten: a bar in a bag is consumed, a shake that has to be made up is often skipped. The best supplement remains the one you actually take. The sensible compromise is this: the powder at home, the bar on the move. The rest of the range can be compared in our protein snacks and our protein cookies.

Frequently asked questions

Is this bar really sugar-free?

No, and we will not write that it is. It contains 1.4 g of sugars per bar, that is 3.2 g per 100 g. That allows it the claim “low sugars”, which requires less than 5 g per 100 g, but not the wording “sugars-free”, reserved for products under 0.5 g per 100 g. The difference is a regulatory one, and it is real.

Why 11 g of polyols, and is that a problem?

Maltitol replaces sugar: it sweetens almost as much for around 2.4 kcal per gram instead of 4, and it is only partly absorbed. That is what makes it possible to declare 1.4 g of sugars. The trade-off is digestive — the legal statement “excessive consumption may produce laxative effects” appears on the packaging, and it is not decorative.

Can you eat several a day?

Two at most, and only one if your gut is sensitive. The limit comes not from the protein but from the polyols: at three bars, you are at 33 g of maltitol, which causes discomfort in a great many people. Add to that 498 kcal, which is no longer a snack.

Which flavour should I choose to start with?

The classic chocolate flavours — Fudge Brownie, Hazelnut Nougat, Peanut Caramel — are the most widely liked and the closest to confectionery. The fruity versions such as Strawberry White Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Raspberry divide opinion more. If you are allergic to nuts, rule out Almond Coconut, White Chocolate Pistachio and Dark Chocolate Salted Almond from the start.

Does it contain gluten?

Gluten is not an ingredient in the Almond Coconut version, but traces are possible, as they are for peanuts. Since the composition varies from one flavour to another, if you have coeliac disease, read the label of the precise flavour you are buying and, at the slightest doubt, leave it.

Is it suitable during a cutting phase?

Yes, provided it replaces something. 166 kcal for 14 g of protein is a decent ratio, and 3.8 g of saturates remains modest. But it is a dense bar, not a free food: build it into your daily total like any other snack.

Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

For vegetarians, yes: the base is a blend of milk and soy proteins, with no meat ingredient. For vegans, no — the milk proteins and the whole milk powder rule it out. For a vegan diet, look to our plant proteins.

Where can you buy the ESN Designer Protein Bar?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship anywhere in France and Europe.

With a bar, buying blind is a gamble: the flavour is the only thing that decides whether you will buy again, and no photo tells you that. At our Vendargues shop, around ten minutes from Montpellier, the right move is to take two or three different ones rather than a whole box of the same taste — it is less of a commitment and it saves you ending up with eleven bars you do not like.

What is ESN Clear Whey Isolate?

ESN Clear Whey Isolate is a clear whey: a whey protein isolate formulated to stay dissolved in an acidic medium and give a translucent, fruity drink rather than a creamy shake. The list is short: whey isolate, citric acid, flavourings, sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame K), colours depending on the flavour.

It is produced by ESN, a German brand, and stands out from most clear wheys on the market by how much it is diluted: the manufacturer recommends 500 ml of water for a single serving, where the average across the category sits between 300 and 400 ml. The result is closer to a thirst-quenching drink than to a shake.

The flavours listed, two of them built on an iced tea profile — which remains rare in the category.

What does a serving of ESN Clear Whey Isolate contain?

The reference serving is 30 g. It provides 25 g of protein for around 100 kcal, less than 0.5 g of carbohydrate of which as much again in sugars, less than 0.1 g of fat and less than 0.1 g of lactose per 100 ml of the prepared drink once diluted.

Twenty-five grams of protein in thirty grams of powder puts the product very high on density, where many clear wheys top out at 18 or 20 g per serving. The manufacturer states a purity of 90 to 95% on the raw material, as well as 48.9% essential amino acids and 22.7% BCAAs in the protein fraction — figures we pass on while attributing them to it, in the absence of a detailed amino acid profile.

Three pieces of data are missing and we are not inventing them: the manufacturer publishes neither a "per 100 g" column, nor a value in kilojoules, nor a salt content — it states only that the salt varies according to the flavour. The net weight of the tub and the number of servings it contains have not been communicated to us; we would rather write that than put forward a figure. The detail that is available appears in the nutritional values tab.

Protein here accounts for virtually all of the energy provided. The only usable health wording remains the one in Regulation 432/2012: proteins contribute to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass.

How do you prepare ESN Clear Whey Isolate?

The manufacturer states 30 g of powder in 500 ml of very cold water, shaken for 10 to 15 seconds. One to three servings a day, with no course duration: it is a protein food, not a treatment. You can go down to 400 ml for a more concentrated drink, but below that the taste turns acidic and the foam lingers longer.

Two instructions apply specifically to this type of product. Do not mix it with milk: the acidity makes the casein flocculate and the drink turns grainy. And do not heat it — a clear whey coagulates when cooked, so it is unusable in baking.

Timing is not decisive: during the session in small sips, straight afterwards, or elsewhere in the day. What matters is the total protein over 24 hours. A shaker with a wide neck and no metal whisk keeps the foam down; the accessories section has some.

Who is this clear whey for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at three profiles. Those who can no longer face a milky shake, whether from heaviness or from weariness. Those who train in summer and for whom nothing creamy goes down at the end of a session. And those who digest lactose poorly: less than 0.1 g per 100 ml of drink is one of the best tolerated forms of whey.

The product contains MILK and may contain traces of SOYA, EGG and NUTS owing to manufacture in a shared facility. An allergy to cow's milk protein rules it out: filtration removes the lactose, never the proteins. The manufacturer invites pregnant or breastfeeding women to seek professional advice and refers you to your doctor in the event of kidney trouble.

It does not suit you if you cook with your powder, if you are looking for a drink that keeps you going between meals, or if you take two or three servings a day: at that rate, the price per kilo of protein becomes the deciding criterion and a conventional isolate wins out. Nor is it a drink for during exercise: it provides neither carbohydrate nor electrolytes in useful amounts. For that, see our electrolytes or our EAAs.

ESN Clear Whey Isolate or Rule One Clear Isolate?

We sell both, and they are not separated by quality but by three figures.

The serving: 30 g at ESN for 25 g of protein, against 25 g at Rule One for 20 g of protein. If you are aiming for a high intake in a single serving, ESN comes out ahead. The volume: 500 ml against 350 to 400 ml. The ESN version takes longer to drink and is more thirst-quenching; the Rule One one is closer to a conventional shaker format. The formula: Rule One adds 300 mg of an electrolyte complex per serving, ESN adds none.

Rule One is therefore the better choice if you want a reasonable drink volume and a touch of sodium after a sweaty session. ESN wins if you are after the maximum protein per serving and a drink that lasts the whole session. And if the main criterion is budget, then neither: a whey concentrate is enough for most people, and an isolate is only justified by lactose intolerance, a tight cutting phase or a genuine digestive problem.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is a clear whey?

A whey isolate formulated to stay clear in an acidic medium. Where a conventional whey gives an opaque, milky drink, a clear whey gives a transparent, tangy drink, close to a juice. The raw material is the same; it is the formula that changes.

Why 500 ml of water and not 250?

Because the formula is acidic and very concentrated in protein. Below 400 ml, the acidity dominates, the foam persists and the drink becomes hard to finish. The 500 ml recommended by ESN make it a drink to sip during exercise rather than a shake to down in one.

Which flavours are available?

Fresh Cherry, Iced Tea Peach, Iced Tea Peach-Mango, Green Apple, Blackberry and Cactus Fruit. The salt varies according to the flavour, as the manufacturer does not publish a single value.

How many servings does the tub contain?

We do not know for certain: the net weight of the pack does not appear in the data passed on by the manufacturer, and we do not publish a number of servings calculated on an assumption. Ask us before ordering and we will check on the tub.

Can it be mixed with milk?

No, and it is not a question of taste. The acidity of the formula destabilises the casein in milk: the mixture curdles and turns grainy. Use very cold water. Crushed ice improves the result further, especially on the iced tea flavours.

Is it suitable in cases of lactose intolerance?

In most cases, yes: less than 0.1 g of lactose per 100 ml of prepared drink is very low. Take care not to confuse lactose intolerance with an allergy to cow's milk protein: in the second case, the product is contraindicated, whatever the degree of filtration.

What is the difference from ESN Designer Whey?

Designer Whey is a blend of concentrate and isolate, to be drunk in 200 ml, with a milkshake texture and milky flavours. Clear Whey Isolate is an isolate on its own, to be drunk in 500 ml, translucent and fruity. The first can be cooked with, the second cannot. They are not aimed at the same moment of the day.

Where can you buy ESN Clear Whey Isolate?

The flavours can be ordered here, and we ship throughout France and Europe. On a tangy drink, the flavour is the one criterion a product sheet cannot settle: in our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we will tell you which ones come up most often in the regulars' baskets — and which ones rarely leave a second time.

The rest of the range can be compared in our proteins collection.

What is ESN Collagen Peptides?

ESN Collagen Peptides is a powdered collagen peptide supplement to be mixed into a drink, providing 20 g per daily serving. The collagen comes in the form of a bovine hydrolysate: the protein has been cut into short chains, which makes it soluble in cold liquid and free of any gelatinous texture. That is the practical difference from gelatine, which sets and cannot be drunk.

What is distinctive about this product is how the dose is split. The 20 g are not a single hydrolysate: the manufacturer declares four fractions of 5 g each, three of which carry a registered name — TENDOFORTE®, FORTIGEL® and VERISOL® — while the fourth is standard collagen. Those three brands designate collagen peptides produced by their German manufacturer using specific hydrolysis processes. To these are added 80 mg of vitamin C, which are not there by chance, as we explain below.

The versions stocked: Nature, with no flavouring and no sweetener, Fresh Cherry and Lemon. The nutritional values below apply to the unflavoured version. The German brand ESN is one we distribute, and its full range can be found in the ESN aisle.

What does a 20 g serving contain?

Table drawn up for the Nature version. The flavoured versions add citric acid, flavourings and sucralose, which may shift the values slightly. The manufacturer publishes neither a “per 100 g” column nor a “fibre” line, and the net weight of the tub does not appear in the data supplied to us: we therefore cannot tell you how many servings the tub holds. Divide the weight printed on the packaging by 20 g. One labelling inconsistency is also worth pointing out: the declared blend (20,000 mg) plus the vitamin C adds up to more than the 20 g stated for the serving. We reproduce the manufacturer's figures without correcting them.

What really counts here is 20 g of peptides in a single serving. Many collagen products on the market stop at 5 or 10 g, which halves or quarters the actual intake for a price per tub that is often much the same. Always look at the grams per serving before the price of the tub, or the comparison means nothing.

The 80 mg of vitamin C, that is 100% of the NRV, are the only item in this formula that carries an authorised claim, and it is entirely in its place: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones, cartilage, skin and blood vessels. In other words, the body needs vitamin C to make its own collagen. That is the technical reason for the addition, and it is also what makes a separate vitamin C intake unnecessary on the days you take this product.

A word, on the other hand, about the peptides themselves: no health claim is authorised in Europe for collagen, nor for TENDOFORTE®, FORTIGEL® or VERISOL®. You will therefore read no promise here about tendons, joints, skin or nails. What we can describe is factual: a source, a quantity, a breakdown, a format.

How do you take ESN Collagen Peptides?

Dose: 20 g, that is one level scoop. Liquid: around 300 ml. Timing: in the morning or after training, no constraint. Frequency: 1 serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer recommends daily, continuous use, without setting an end point.

The powder dissolves in water, juice, coffee, or straight into your protein shaker. That is one of its practical advantages: unlike gelatine, it does not set solid and does not change the texture of the drink. In a hot coffee it goes unnoticed — the Nature version brings almost no taste at all, barely a slightly salty note that comes from the 0.10 g of salt.

The timing matters little. The manufacturer suggests the morning on an empty stomach or after training; in practice, choose the slot you will not forget. With this kind of product, consistency over several months weighs infinitely more than a precise time of day, and a tub taken irregularly is of no use. If you mix it with a whey, measure the two separately: 20 g of collagen do not replace 20 g of whey, for the reason explained just below.

Who is this collagen for, and who is it not for?

It is a supplement for adults. It contains no fat, no carbohydrate and no sugars, which makes it compatible with a low-carbohydrate diet or a period of calorie restriction: 72 kcal is the price of an apple.

The source is bovine. This product is therefore suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans, and it is equally unsuitable if you avoid beef for religious or personal reasons. There is no such thing as plant collagen: what is sold under that name is a blend of nutrients meant to support the body's own synthesis, not collagen.

The manufacturer declares that no major allergen is present as an ingredient, but flags possible traces of MILK, SOYA, GLUTEN and EGG arising from the packing environment. For adults only, keep out of the reach of children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication, seek the advice of a healthcare professional.

What not to expect from it, and this is the most useful point on this page: it is not a muscle-building protein. The 18 g of protein stated are collagen, whose amino acid profile is unbalanced — very rich in glycine and proline, low in or even devoid of tryptophan, and low in essential amino acids. Do not count them towards your daily protein total the way you would count those from a whey isolate. If your goal is muscle mass, a whey is what you need, not this product. And if your joint discomfort is long-standing or painful, the right place to go is a doctor, not a tub of powder.

Collagen Peptides or glucosamine?

The two end up in the same basket, often for the same reason, and it is worth saying straight away what they have in common: neither collagen nor glucosamine has an authorised health claim in Europe. Deciding on the basis of promises therefore makes no sense here. What separates them is concrete.

Glucosamine is taken in capsules or tablets, at doses of the order of a gram, often combined with chondroitin or MSM. It is the better choice if you do not want to prepare a drink every morning, if you travel, or if the idea of swallowing an extra 300 ml of liquid every day puts you off. It also generally costs less per day.

ESN Collagen Peptides is the better choice if you prefer a clear, straightforward dose — 20 g, with the four fractions itemised — rather than a blend of several actives at middling doses. It has a second practical advantage: it slips into a coffee or a shaker you were having anyway, so it does not add another item to your day. And it supplies the 80 mg of vitamin C, which most glucosamine products do not. Nor is there anything to stop you taking both: they share no ingredient.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between TENDOFORTE®, FORTIGEL® and VERISOL®?

They are three collagen peptides from the same German manufacturer, obtained by different hydrolysis processes that result in distinct chain sizes. The product contains 5 g of each. None of them holds an authorised health claim in Europe, and we therefore attribute none to them.

Can it be mixed into a hot coffee?

Yes, and that is in fact the handiest way to use it. Hydrolysed peptides stay soluble when hot and do not form a gel, unlike gelatine. The Nature version barely alters the taste of the coffee; the Fresh Cherry and Lemon versions, on the other hand, lend themselves poorly to the exercise — keep those for cold water.

Does collagen count towards my protein for the day?

Not the way a whey does. Collagen is an incomplete protein: very rich in glycine and proline, low in essential amino acids and without tryptophan. The 18 g stated are indeed protein in labelling terms, but they do not replace 18 g of dairy or egg protein where muscle mass is concerned.

How many servings are there in a tub?

The net weight of the tub does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot work it out without risking an error. Divide the weight shown on the packaging you receive by 20 g, the daily serving.

Should you take extra vitamin C?

No, the 80 mg present cover 100% of the nutrient reference value. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation: that is why it is in the formula. Adding a 1,000 mg tablet on top will make no difference on that particular point.

Which version should you choose between Nature, Fresh Cherry and Lemon?

The Nature version if you are putting it into a coffee, a tea or an already flavoured shaker: it imposes no taste and contains neither flavouring nor sweetener. The flavoured versions if you drink it in plain water — they contain citric acid, flavourings and sucralose, which makes the morning glass distinctly more pleasant.

How long before you can judge?

The manufacturer recommends daily, continuous use without setting a duration. As no claim is authorised for collagen, we will not announce a timescale for results: that would be inventing one. What we can say is that a product of this kind is judged over months, not over days.

Where can you buy ESN Collagen Peptides?

The versions can be ordered from this page, and we ship anywhere in France and in Europe.

If you drop into our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, take thirty seconds to compare the label on this tub with that of a collagen at 5 g per serving sitting next to it. It is the most instructive exercise in the aisle, and it often changes the mind of whoever does it. The rest of our everyday supplements can be found in the sports nutrition aisle.

What is ESN's Crank Pump Pro 2.0?

ESN Crank Pump Pro 2.0 is a pre-workout that is caffeine-free and free of any stimulant, developed by the German brand ESN. The daily serving is 30 g, or two scoops — a bulky format explained by the sheer quantity of actives genuinely present.

The formula combines three families. Nitric oxide precursors first, with 10 g of citrulline malate. Cell hydration agents next: HydroPrime® glycerol and coconut water powder. Then a series of supporting actives: L-carnitine L-tartrate, taurine, L-tyrosine, L-glutathione, CitraPeak® glucosyl hesperidin, pine bark extract, AstraGin® and black pepper extract. On top of that come two B vitamins and four quantified minerals, which is unusual in this category.

The flavours on offer: Blue Raspberry, Peach Iced Tea and Tropical Punch. The product joins our caffeine-free booster and ESN France aisles.

What is in a 30 g serving?

The manufacturer publishes neither an energy value, nor a macronutrient breakdown, nor a number of servings per tub: we are flagging that rather than estimating it. Divide the net weight shown on the packaging by 30 to work out the number of servings.

The striking figure is the 10 g of citrulline malate, of which 6.8 g is pure citrulline. That is among the highest dosages on the market: most pre-workouts sit between 1 and 4 g, and few go beyond 6 g of effective citrulline. It also explains the 30 g serving — there is no way of fitting all of that into a 10 g scoop.

The second differentiating point is the minerals. Many so-called “pump” formulas contain none at all; this one delivers 400 mg of sodium, 354 mg of potassium, 120 mg of calcium and 60 mg of magnesium. Those amounts allow the following authorised wordings to be applied: potassium, calcium and magnesium contribute to normal muscle function, magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal electrolyte balance, niacin and vitamin B6 contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. For citrulline, glycerol, carnitine, taurine, tyrosine, glutathione, hesperidin, pine bark and AstraGin®, no claim is authorised in Europe.

How do you prepare Crank Pump Pro 2.0?

Serving: 30 g, or 2 scoops. Liquid: around 500 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 to 45 minutes before your session. Frequency: one serving per training day, without exceeding the recommended daily dose. Duration: the manufacturer imposes neither cycling nor breaks, which is consistent with a stimulant-free formula.

The 500 ml are not a detail. With 30 g of powder, including 10 g of citrulline malate which brings a pronounced acidity, too little dilution gives you a harsh drink that is hard to finish. And the glycerol works by holding water: the volume is part of the formula, not just of the taste.

The complete absence of caffeine changes the way this product is used. You can take it at 20:00 before a late session with no consequences for your night's sleep, which is impossible with any booster in the boosters aisle. That is the main reason we recommend it.

Who is this booster for, and who is it not for?

The product is aimed, in the manufacturer's own terms, at adults engaged in intense physical exercise. Three profiles will find themselves in it: those who train late, those who cannot tolerate stimulants, and those looking for the highest citrulline dosages available.

The restrictions are shorter than on a stimulant product. This is a food supplement with sweeteners intended for adults: do not exceed the recommended daily dose, keep out of the reach of children in a cool, dry place. On allergens, the product may contain traces of MILK, SOYA, GLUTEN and EGG owing to the factory's processes. As with any supplement, ongoing medical treatment warrants the advice of your doctor or pharmacist before use.

What you should not expect from it: energy. That is the most common misunderstanding about this category. With no caffeine, there is no kick, no heightened alertness, no start-of-session euphoria. What you will feel is a sensation of fuller muscles — no more strength, no more motivation. Nor should you expect the 1,000 mg of L-carnitine to have an effect on body composition: no claim authorises it, and the dosage would not allow for it.

Crank Pump Pro 2.0 or citrulline bought on its own?

That is the most honest comparison to make here, because citrulline alone accounts for a third of the weight of the serving.

Buying pure citrulline powder is the better choice if budget is what decides. Per gram, plain citrulline costs markedly less than a formulated complex, and you can adjust your dose to the gram — 6 g, 8 g, whatever you want. You also choose between citrulline malate and pure citrulline, something the formula decides for you here. The downside: it is bitter, you have to weigh it out, and you get neither glycerol, nor minerals, nor the supporting actives.

Crank Pump Pro 2.0 wins on what citrulline on its own does not do. The 1.5 g of glycerol and the four quantified minerals change the drink: it is no longer just a nitric oxide precursor, it is also a hydration drink, which brings it close in some respects to the electrolytes aisle. The formula is flavoured, fully quantified on the label, and ready to use. For anyone who does not want to play chemist every morning, it is the right compromise. Note that taurine and L-arginine are also available as isolated powders if you want to top up separately.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the serving 30 g?

Because the formula really does contain what it says it does. Ten grams of citrulline malate on their own take up a third of the serving; add 2.3 g of glycerol, 1.5 g of carnitine tartrate, the taurine, the tyrosine and the minerals, and you naturally arrive at that volume. A 10 g scoop could not hold them.

How many servings in a tub?

The net weight is not in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot calculate it. Divide the weight shown on the packaging by 30 g to get the number of servings.

Can you take it in the evening?

Yes, without reservation, and that is its main appeal. The formula contains no caffeine and no other stimulant: taking it at 20:00 before a 20:45 session will have no effect on how you fall asleep.

What is the difference between citrulline malate and pure citrulline?

Citrulline malate pairs citrulline with malic acid. On this label, 10 g of citrulline malate corresponds to 6.8 g of effective citrulline: the rest is malate. It is an essential distinction when comparing two products, and ESN deserves credit for publishing both values, which many brands do not.

Are the minerals enough to replace an electrolyte drink?

For a gym session, the 400 mg of sodium and 354 mg of potassium provide a genuine base. For a long endurance outing or in high heat, a dedicated drink remains more suitable: it also provides carbohydrates, which this formula does not.

Does the product contain allergens?

No allergen is present in the recipe, but the manufacturer flags possible traces of milk, soya, gluten and egg linked to the factory's processes. If you have a severe allergy, take that into account.

Which flavour should you choose?

Peach Iced Tea is the mildest and Blue Raspberry the sharpest. At 30 g in 500 ml, the drink stays pronounced: if the acidity bothers you, go up to 600 ml — it changes nothing about the dosages you swallow.

Where can you buy the ESN Crank Pump Pro 2.0?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. ESN is a German brand whose labels we appreciate on one specific point: they detail everything, including the share of effective citrulline within the malate. That is not so common.

If you are passing through Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, ask to compare this label with that of a conventional booster: the gap in citrulline dosage is visible to the naked eye, and it explains the difference in price.

What is ESN Designer Rice Pudding?

ESN Designer Rice Pudding is an instant rice semolina, to be prepared as a porridge with hot water. Per 100 g of powder it provides 1,582 kJ / 373 kcal, 83 g of carbohydrate of which 0 g sugars, and 7.7 g of protein. The ingredients list fits on one line: 100% instant rice semolina.

ESN — Elite Sports Nutrients — is a German brand founded in 2005, known in France for its Designer Whey range. This product belongs to its family of carbohydrate bases: simple foods, with no flavouring or additive, meant to be assembled with the rest of what you take.

What makes it distinctive is that there is nothing in it but rice. No sweetener, no flavouring, no thickener. You add whatever you like: a scoop of protein, a flavouring powder, some cinnamon, a mashed piece of fruit. That is what explains the “0 g sugars” line — there is simply nothing sweet in it. The rest of the brand can be browsed in our ESN France aisle, and the other bases of this type in our cream of rice aisle.

What does Designer Rice Pudding contain?

83 g of carbohydrate per 100 g and not a single gram of sugars: that is exactly what you ask of a carbohydrate base. All the energy comes from rice starch, that is to say from complex carbohydrates, and not from a sugar added to improve the taste. In this aisle, plenty of flavoured preparations show 10 to 20 g of sugars per 100 g without it being obvious at first glance.

The 7.7 g of protein per 100 g are the rice's own, and they replace nothing. This is not a protein source: at 50 g of powder you are at 3.9 g, less than half an egg. This product is a carbohydrate contribution, full stop. That is precisely why it is almost always prepared with a scoop of protein added after cooking.

What the manufacturer does not publish has to be flagged: fat, fibre and salt do not appear in the data available to us, nor does the weight of the pack. We will not fill those boxes in with approximate values. Since rice is naturally very low in fat, a low content can be expected, but expecting is not knowing: refer to the table printed on the packaging you receive.

On the regulatory side there is nothing to claim, and that is just as well: there is no authorised health claim for rice semolina. This is not a food supplement, it is a food. Carbohydrates serve as fuel for exercise, which is a matter of basic physiology and not of a commercial promise. Be wary of product pages that talk about “optimised glycogen reloading” or “anabolism”: they describe an intention, not a demonstrated effect of the product.

Ingredients list

100% instant rice semolina. Single ingredient.

No allergen in the recipe. The manufacturer states that it is made in a factory handling GLUTEN, MILK, SOYA and EGGS: traces of these allergens may be present. This point is decisive in the case of coeliac disease or a severe allergy.

How do you prepare Designer Rice Pudding?

Serving: refer to the amount stated on the packaging; reckon on 50 to 100 g depending on your needs. Liquid: about four times the volume of powder, in hot water. Preparation: pour the liquid in while stirring with a whisk, then leave to stand for two minutes. Timing: 1 to 2 hours before exercise, or straight after the session. Duration: no notion of a course, it is a food.

The whisk is not an affectation. Poured all at once onto the powder without stirring, rice semolina forms lumps that are impossible to rescue. Pour the hot liquid in gradually while whisking, then let it swell for two minutes: the texture turns creamy on its own. That is the difference between a pleasant porridge and plaster.

Add the protein afterwards, never before. A whey poured into a hot liquid coagulates and gives an unpleasant grainy texture. Make the porridge first, let it cool for a minute, then stir in your scoop of protein. It is the most common mistake with this type of product, and it is easy to avoid.

Before a session, allow one to two hours. This is a carbohydrate-dense food, and heading off to train with a stomach full of thick porridge is the surest way to have a bad session. After training, on the other hand, there is no delay to observe: eat when you are hungry.

On taste, the neutral version calls for seasoning. A little cinnamon, unsweetened cocoa, a mashed piece of fruit, or a powder from our flavourings and sweeteners aisle completely transforms the result for a negligible calorie contribution.

Who is Designer Rice Pudding for, and who is it not for?

It suits someone who needs to add carbohydrate to their day without resorting to fast sugars or to cooking: mass gain, endurance sport, or simply an appetite that does not keep up with requirements. The porridge format has a real advantage: it goes down more easily than a plate of rice when you struggle to eat.

The main point to watch is the traces. The recipe contains no allergen, but the factory handles gluten, milk, soya and eggs. In the case of coeliac disease or a severe allergy, this product is not safe, despite the single ingredient. It is a point many product pages keep quiet about because it spoils the “100% rice” story.

It is not for you if your goal is to cut calories. 373 kcal per 100 g is dense, and it is meant to be. During a period of weight loss, adding this porridge without taking something else away will do you no favours. Our weight loss aisle answers an entirely different need.

What not to expect from it. This is not a performance product: it is ground rice. It does not build muscle, does not replace a structured diet and has no effect of its own. What it does provide is a simple, easily digested way to eat carbohydrate when you need it — and that is already exactly why people buy it.

Cream of rice or maltodextrin?

Both serve to add carbohydrate, but they do not behave in the same way and the confusion is common.

Maltodextrin is a soluble powder, with no texture, that goes into a shaker. It is drunk, digests very quickly, and that is what makes it useful during a long effort or straight afterwards. On the other hand, it is not filling at all: you are not “eating” anything. Our maltodextrin aisle covers these powders, and cyclic dextrin is the more modern version, better tolerated by the stomach during exercise.

Rice semolina, by contrast, is eaten with a spoon and replaces a carbohydrate meal. That is the essential difference. For a breakfast, a snack or a post-session meal, it is far more satisfying than a sweet drink. For drinking during training, it is unusable.

A third base is worth knowing about: oat flour provides more fibre and slower digestion, which suits the morning better than the run-up to a session. Plenty of people alternate the two depending on the time of day, and that is probably the best way to use them.

Frequently asked questions

How much carbohydrate per 100 g?

83 g, of which 0 g sugars, for 373 kcal. All the energy comes from rice starch. That is a high carbohydrate density, very useful when appetite does not keep up with requirements, and far less relevant if you are looking to cut your intake.

Does the product contain gluten?

Not in the recipe: the single ingredient is rice semolina. But the manufacturer states that it is made in a factory handling gluten, milk, soya and eggs, with possible traces. In the case of coeliac disease, this product therefore does not offer the necessary safety.

How do you avoid lumps?

Pour the hot water gradually onto the powder while stirring with a whisk, never all at once. Reckon on about four times the volume of powder in liquid, then leave it to stand for two minutes. The texture turns creamy as it swells, without needing further stirring.

Can whey be mixed into it?

Yes, but after preparation and not during. A whey protein poured into a hot liquid coagulates and makes the texture grainy. Let the porridge cool for a minute, then stir the scoop in. That is the usual way of putting together a complete meal with this product.

How long before training?

One to two hours. This is a dense food, and a thick porridge swallowed twenty minutes before the session sits heavily on the stomach. After training, no delay needs to be observed: the famous thirty-minute window does not have the importance it is credited with, the day's total counts for more.

Is the product flavoured?

No, it is neutral: the ingredients list contains nothing but rice semolina. That is an advantage — you control what you add — but it does mean seasoning it. Cinnamon, unsweetened cocoa, mashed fruit or a flavouring powder do the job perfectly.

What is the weight of the pack?

The manufacturer does not disclose it in the data available to us, any more than the fat, fibre or salt content. We would rather flag that than put forward a figure. The net weight is on the packaging you receive.

Where can you buy ESN Designer Rice Pudding?

The product can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, it is the base we recommend to customers who struggle to eat enough: a porridge gets finished when a plate of rice is left half-eaten, and during mass gain that detail is what makes the difference. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the mass gain aisle.

What is ESN EAA+?

It is an essential amino acid powder to be mixed with water, with a serving of 20 g, or one and a half scoops. The 400 g tub covers 20 servings. The flavours listed: Peach Iced Tea and Green Apple.

What sets this formula apart from the other EAAs on our shelves is that it does not stop at the nine essential amino acids. It adds three non-essential amino acids — L-cysteine, L-tyrosine and L-glycine — twelve in all, plus the trademarked active AstraGin® (extracts of Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus) and vitamin B6.

An important point for some buyers: the formula is vegan, gluten-free and inulin-free. The amino acids are obtained without any animal-derived raw material, the emulsifier is a sunflower lecithin, and the “inulin-free” wording is aimed at those who find this fibre troublesome. The full German range is in our ESN section.

What does a 20 g serving contain?

Net weight: 400 g, or 20 servings of 20 g.

It has to be said plainly: the manufacturer publishes only the three BCAAs. The six other essential amino acids, the three added amino acids, AstraGin® and vitamin B6 are listed on the label with no quantity. Of the 20 g of powder, only 6.4 g are quantified; the remainder also includes citric acid, flavouring, sweeteners and colouring. We will not fill those gaps with unverified figures, and we invite you to read the label on the tub you receive.

A concrete and slightly frustrating consequence: vitamin B6 is indeed present, but we cannot use the regulatory wording attached to it. Such wording may only be used if the product provides at least 15% of the reference value per portion, that is 0.21 mg. With no declared amount, that threshold cannot be verified, so we refrain. The vitamin B section offers products with declared doses if that is what you need.

What is solid is the headline figure: 3,200 mg of leucine per serving. That is a generous dose, higher than most EAAs on the market, which sit between 2 and 2.5 g. The leucine-isoleucine-valine ratio is 2:1:1, the classic pattern. And histidine really is in the ingredient list, which is not always the case: it is the essential amino acid some formulas leave out because it is expensive.

To finish on the regulatory side: no health claim is authorised in Europe for free amino acids, nor for astragalus, nor for notoginseng. So you will read nothing here about improved absorption, focus or protein synthesis. We are describing a composition, not an effect.

How do you take ESN EAA+?

Serving: 20 g, or one and a half scoops. Liquid: 500 ml of cold water. Timing: 20 to 30 minutes before the session, during training, or within the 30 minutes that follow. Frequency: one serving a day, including rest days according to the manufacturer. Duration: ongoing, as no set course is specified.

Five hundred millilitres is a markedly more generous volume than the shelf average, and that is a good thing: a free-form amino acid powder is acidic and concentrated, and a drink that is too strong becomes unpleasant to finish. The manufacturer's tip is worth trying: let it stand for two minutes after mixing, or put the shaker in the freezer for fifteen minutes. On a summer session, it makes a real difference.

The powder dissolves just as well in cold water as in lukewarm, which is handy in winter — few EAAs can claim as much.

The manufacturer recommends a daily serving, including on days without training. We will be more measured: if your protein intake is already sufficient, a serving on rest days adds nothing that has been demonstrated. Save it for the days when you are genuinely short of a protein meal, and your tub will last twice as long.

The pairing advice it gives is, on the other hand, sound: after a long session, combining this drink with a carbohydrate source from the cyclic dextrin section makes sense in terms of refuelling.

Who is EAA+ for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at three profiles. Vegans first, as the formula contains no ingredient of animal origin. Then those who train fasted or a long way from a meal, since a milky shake sits badly in that case. And those looking for a well-dosed leucine intake without swallowing a protein powder.

The manufacturer declares it unsuitable for minors, pregnant women and breastfeeding women. It contains an emulsifier based on sunflower lecithin, and it is declared gluten-free. Do not exceed the recommended daily serving; store in a dry place, away from heat and light.

It suits you less well if you want to compare precisely what you are buying: of 20 g of powder, only 6.4 g are quantified. That is the real limitation of this product, and it weighs against competitors who publish their full profile amino acid by amino acid. It also contains sucralose, acesulfame K and a colouring: this is not a neutral powder.

What you should not expect from it: an EAA does not replace a protein intake. Twenty grams of powder, part of which is flavouring, is not 25 g of complete protein, and the cost per gram is far higher. Nor can we say anything about cysteine, tyrosine, glycine or AstraGin®: with no published amounts and no authorised claim, there is nothing honest to write about them.

EAA+ or a plant protein?

For a vegan athlete, that is the real trade-off, and it deserves to be set out clearly.

A plant protein provides 20 to 25 g of complete protein per serving, at a cost per gram that bears no comparison. It is the better choice for building a daily protein total, and it is the product to buy first if you are only buying one. Its known weak point is the amino acid profile: pea or rice on its own is limiting in certain amino acids, which blends correct.

EAA+ is not playing in that category. Its place is the training drink: clear, tart, with no heaviness, and 3.2 g of leucine. That is something no plant protein does, its texture being thick and its taste earthy. The two complement each other rather than replace each other.

If your budget forces a choice, take the protein. And if you are instead torn between this EAA and a product three times cheaper, our BCAA section offers that option — bearing in mind that you will only find three amino acids out of nine there, which is a real sacrifice.

Frequently asked questions

Why are the amounts of all the amino acids not stated?

Because the manufacturer publishes only the three BCAAs in the labelling data available to us. The six other essentials, along with cysteine, tyrosine and glycine, appear in the ingredient list with no quantity. We will not invent them: the label on the tub you receive is what counts.

What is the difference between 9 and 12 amino acids?

The nine essentials are the ones the body does not make. Cysteine, tyrosine and glycine, for their part, are produced by the body — they are formulation additions, not nutrients that must be supplied. No claim is authorised for them, and their presence does not make this formula superior to a well-dosed nine-amino-acid EAA.

How many servings are in the 400 g tub?

Twenty, at 20 g per serving, or one and a half scoops. That is a small format compared with most EAAs on the shelf: at one serving a day, it lasts three weeks. Kept for training days only, expect a month to a month and a half.

Is the formula suitable for vegans?

Yes, the manufacturer declares it vegan. The amino acids are produced without any animal-derived raw material and the emulsifier is a sunflower lecithin. It is also declared gluten-free and inulin-free, that last point being aimed at those who find this fibre uncomfortable.

Why is 500 ml of water a lot?

Because 20 g of free-form amino acids in a small volume make for a very acidic drink that is hard to finish. Five hundred millilitres make the taste pleasant and get you drinking during the session, which is a benefit in its own right. The fifteen-minute trip to the freezer is genuinely worth it in summer.

Should you take it on rest days?

The manufacturer recommends it; we are more reserved. If your protein intake already covers your needs, an extra serving on days without training brings nothing that has been demonstrated and halves how long your tub lasts. Save it for the days when a protein meal is genuinely missing.

Peach Iced Tea or Green Apple?

Peach Iced Tea is the milder of the two and the easier to drink over 500 ml; Green Apple is distinctly tarter and more refreshing, but also more marked. Both contain sucralose, acesulfame K and a colouring. If you have to finish a large shaker mid-session, the first goes down more easily.

Where can you buy ESN EAA+?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. The 400 g tub with 20 servings is a trial size: three weeks is enough to know whether this drink earns its place in your sessions.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we use to show customers how to read an EAA label: look for the leucine, then check whether the other eight carry a figure. Here the leucine is generous and the rest is not — it is a trade-off, and it is for you to say whether it suits you. The rest of the amino acids can be compared in our sports nutrition section.

What is ESN Designer Whey 908 g?

ESN Designer Whey is a protein powder in a 908 g tub, built not on a single raw material but on a blend: an ultrafiltered whey concentrate and a cross-flow microfiltered whey isolate. The manufacturer states a protein blend accounting for 94% of the formula; the remainder is the flavouring, the emulsifier, the salt and the sweeteners.

It is the German brand ESN's longest-standing product, and its whole reason for existing is that trade-off: the concentrate brings the price and the texture, the isolate brings the protein density and strips out part of the lactose and the fat. Neither one taken alone gives that result. The flavours listed here run from Vanilla Milk to Cinnamon Cereal: the register is that of a milky dessert, not a fruit drink.

What does a 30 g serving of ESN Designer Whey contain?

The reference serving is 30 g, roughly one level scoop. According to the values declared by the manufacturer, it provides 23 to 25 g of protein for around 115 kcal, 2 g of carbohydrate and 1.5 g of fat, of which 0.9 g saturates. The 908 g tub therefore covers around 30 servings.

The 23 to 25 g spread is not marketing vagueness: it comes from the flavours. The ones containing biscuit or cereal pieces dilute the protein share of the blend. The label on the tub you receive takes precedence over the one on this page.

The manufacturer further states that the protein fraction contains 48% essential amino acids and 23% BCAAs, naturally present in whey. We report those figures as theirs: we have no detailed amino acid profile for this reference, and we will not publish an invented one. The “per 100 g”, “of which sugars”, “fibre” and “salt” columns are likewise absent from the data supplied to us. In regulatory terms, the only thing that can be written about a protein is this: protein contributes to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass. There is no recovery claim for protein, and you will not read one here.

How do you prepare ESN Designer Whey?

The manufacturer indicates 30 g of powder in 200 ml of cold water or milk, shaken for 20 seconds. One to three servings a day according to your needs, with no set course length: a protein powder is a food, and it is taken continuously for as long as it serves to close a gap in your intake.

Timing matters less than it is said to. After the session, at breakfast or between two meals: what determines the outcome is the 24-hour protein total, not the slot.

The 200 ml volume gives a thick texture, close to a milkshake. Go up to 250 or 300 ml if you prefer it thinner. It is also a powder that cooks without difficulty: add it off the heat rather than in the middle of cooking. With oat flakes and oat flours, it makes a complete breakfast.

Who is ESN Designer Whey for, and who is it not for?

It suits the most common situation: you train regularly, you do not reach your protein intake from meals alone, and you want a powder that works in the shaker as well as in the kitchen without paying the premium for a pure isolate.

The product contains MILK and SOYA lecithins. Some flavours with pieces contain GLUTEN, and traces of nuts, egg or fish are possible depending on the flavour: the label on your tub is the only valid reference. In the event of a diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy, the product is contraindicated, isolate or no isolate.

Nor does it suit you if you digest lactose poorly: the presence of isolate reduces the lactose content, it does not cancel it out. In that case, a whey isolate on its own is a better fit. The manufacturer advises against the product for young children and asks pregnant or breastfeeding women and people on medication to seek medical advice. What not to expect from it: it does not build muscle on its own and it does not make you lose weight. It provides protein, nothing more.

ESN Designer Whey or ESN Clear Whey Isolate?

Both come from the same brand and answer two different questions. The Designer Whey is a milky drink, thick, in 200 ml. ESN's clear whey is a translucent, tart drink, diluted in 500 ml of iced water and based on isolate alone.

The Designer Whey wins as soon as the powder has to be cooked with, as soon as you want a texture with some substance to it between two meals, and on the price per kilo of protein — that is the mechanical effect of the concentrate. It also wins on choice: the milky range is better stocked than the clear one.

The clear wins in one precise and frequent case: when the milky shaker no longer goes down. Heaviness after the effort, weariness with the taste of vanilla, a summer session after which nothing creamy will go down. A protein you do not drink is of no use, and that is the only argument that counts then. It also wins on lactose content, which is virtually nil. If your budget is the deciding criterion, look instead at whey concentrate: for most people it is enough, and an isolate is only justified in identified cases.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are there in the 908 g tub?

Around 30 servings of 30 g. At one serving a day, that covers a month. If you take two on training days and one on the others, reckon on three weeks instead. Keep the tub in a dry place, away from light and carefully resealed.

Do the nutritional values change from one flavour to another?

Yes, and that is the question to ask before buying. The manufacturer states 23 to 25 g of protein per serving depending on the flavour. The versions with biscuit or cereal pieces sit at the bottom of that range and may bring gluten with them.

What is the difference between whey concentrate and whey isolate?

The degree of filtration. Concentrate generally runs between 70 and 80% protein and retains lactose and fat. Isolate takes the filtration further, goes beyond 85% and removes the bulk of both. The Designer Whey contains both, which explains its intermediate position on price as much as on density.

Can it be used in baking?

Yes. Unlike a clear whey, which coagulates with acidity and heat, this powder stands up to cooking and behaves well in pancakes, muffins or porridge. Fold it in at the end of the preparation: the final texture is less dry.

Can it be combined with creatine?

Nothing stands in the way: these are two separate ingredients, with no known interaction, and mixing them in the same shaker poses no problem. Creatine monohydrate is dosed separately, generally 3 to 5 g a day, independently of your protein servings.

Does it contain sugar?

No added sugar: the sweetening is provided by sucralose and steviol glycosides. Around 2 g of carbohydrate remain per 30 g serving, essentially the residual lactose from the whey. The “of which sugars” line is not published by the manufacturer and we do not reconstruct it.

Where can you buy ESN Designer Whey 908 g?

The flavours can be ordered on this page and we ship throughout France and Europe. On a milky whey, the flavour is the one criterion that no product page can settle in your place: in our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we talk them over with people who have drunk them, and we compare the price per kilo of protein in front of you.

The other formats of protein to take away are found in our protein bars, and the aisle as a whole in our sports nutrition section.