Effect of size, shape and hardness of particles in suspension on oral texture and palatability.

Oral texture and consistency perception and preference depend on the size, shape and hardness of the particles in aqueous suspensions. Assessments of suspensions of model particles of garnet, polyethylene and mica showed that fairly large particles can be palatable if shape and hardness constraints are taken into account. Size differences matter more if particles are hard and sharp than if they are soft and rounded.