Sponser Liquid Energy Long Gel

Sponser Sport Food is a Swiss brand of nutrition products. We've previously reviewed their Liquid Energy gel on road.cc but this is the 'Long' version, designed for longer endurance events. Despite the name, it isn't really a liquid - it's also a gel - but the thing that makes it totally different from other gels is its flavour.

Liquid Energy Long's main ingredients include glucose syrup, isomaltulose (a combined glucose and fructose carbohydrate), tomato powder, barley starch hydrolisate and soluble barley fibres - and it's the latter two that give this gel its very unusual flavour.

Although it isn't sweet, it isn't really savoury. And despite the sachet saying 'salty' it doesn't actually taste of salt either. There's a definite malty flavour, though, which brings back childhood memories of bed-time barley drinks. The overall impression is hard to sum up, but think of it as a thinnish gel made from Horlicks, without sugar, and you've got the idea.

Moving beyond the taste, how much energy does this gel contain? According to Sponser's UK website, each 40g sachet of Liquid Energy Long contains 23g of carb, providing just under 400 kJ (or 94 kcal) of energy. In layman's terms, the ingredients are designed to deliver a bit of the carb quickly, and the rest slowly, which is better for endurance events like sportives. (For most cyclists, about 20g of carb is enough energy to keep going for between 20 minutes and half an hour, depending on various aspects such as sex and body mass - plus of course how hard you're trying.)

Liquid Energy Long contains trace amounts of fat and protein. There are no artificial colourings, preservatives or sweeteners. This gel is also lactose free and suitable for vegetarians. There is a dash of sodium and potassium, which may help delay the onset of cramp.

The first sachet I tested was at my desk. The taste was such a surprise that I couldn't finish it. I did write the next three paragraphs very quickly though. Next, I tried a sachet halfway through a long training ride. Being hungry after 30 miles of swift pedalling made a big difference, and the gel was easy to finish. It definitely made a change from my usual array of sweet energy gels, but I still wasn't convinced I'd want another an hour later.

The next test was during a hard 100-mile sportive, where I saved a couple of Liquid Energy Long sachets until the last 25 miles. This time, they made a welcome change from the sweet stuff I'd been eating for the previous five hours or so, and definitely provided the little boost and then the sustained supply of energy I needed to gallop to the finish.

A savoury gel (or, at least, a non-sweet gel) is an unusual idea in a market flooded with sweet varieties, and may be a welcome change for anyone who finds 'normal' gels too sticky or sickly. But it has to be said, Liquid Energy Long's distinct malty tang won't be to everyone's taste, so I'd definitely recommend trying just one on a training ride, before gulping your way through a pocketful on an important race or other big outing.

A single gel costs 99p, which is about on a par with similarly sized carb-based gels from other brands, but it isn't a bargin. A box of 40 costs a penny under £39 at Sponser's UK on-line shop, which isn't much of a discount either, especially when shipping within the Uk will cost you another six quid.

Verdict

Unusual savoury-flavoured gel delivering a good supply of energy, but the taste won't be to everyone's liking.