1. Introduction
Texture is one of the main attributes that consumers evaluate in
determining overall food quality. Hutchings and Lillford (1988)
introduced the concept of “food structure” as being one of three
components evaluated as texture; with the other two being lubrication
and time (i.e., time during oral processing). In this context,
“structure” represents the geometric features and molecular interactions
of elements observed at the nano and micro-levels that are
responsible for macroscopic properties of food texture. There is
a strong desire to understand how food structure elicits sensory
texture so as to alter composition to achieve a nutritional/health goal
and at the same time not decrease acceptability (Norton & Norton,
2010). Food polymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides, are
responsible for the textural properties of many food products.
In order to develop novel and attractive food products through textural
manipulation, it is important to understand how biopolymers affect
structure and how specific structures are perceived as textural
properties (Renard, van de Velde, & Visschers, 2006).