Influence of chewing efficiency on texture and flavour perceptions of food

This study examined the effect of differences in chewing efficiency on selected panellists' perceptions of the stickiness and flavour of cooked pasta. Chewing efficiency was measured by the degree of breakdown of an almond, and weight loss of chewing gum after predetermined numbers of chews. Pasta was cooked for various lengths of time in tomato juice to provide a series of samples varying in texture and flavour, The attributes considered in this study were clearly understood and detected in all of the samples by all the subjects. Nevertheless the subjects differed in the time intensity representations of their perceptions of these attributes. Differences in the efficiencies with which subjects break down food in the mouth may account for the abilities of subjects to distinguish between samples in terms of texture and flavour.