An apparatus and method of flash freezing a whey-based liquid into small beads and then packaging the beads for consumers is disclosed. The beads are stored in a conventional freezer, or colder, until desired. The beads can be consumed in their frozen form to provide a convenient source of protein or can be reconstituted into a beverage base as needed. In particular, a warm or cold beverage may be easily and affordably created using the frozen beads.