Yogurt thickness: Effects on flavor perception and liking

Abstract

Nine flavored stirred-style yogurts (thick and thin textured, colored and uncolored, flavored as either cotton candy, lemon-lime, or strawberry) were evaluated by 120 panelists aged 11 to 14 y to analyze the interactive effects of flavor, thickness, and color on thickness intensity, flavor intensity, and degree-of-liking. Yogurt flavor did not affect thickness intensity or liking ratings. Yogurt thickness did not affect flavor intensity, but flavor liking was affected by both flavor and thickness. Strawberry yogurt was liked equally in both texture systems, but cotton candy and lemon-lime yogurts were liked more in a thick textured yogurt than a thin yogurt. Colored yogurts were thicker and more flavorful than uncolored yogurts.