When it comes to food and beverage innovation, flavor often gets the spotlight — but texture is the real showstopper. It’s the crunch that makes a chip addictive, the creaminess that makes yogurt indulgent, the stretch that makes cheese irresistible and the silky smoothness that makes a dessert feel luxurious.

Texture isn’t just a sensory detail. It’s a multisensory eating experience that influences how we taste, feel, hear and even emotionally connect with food. And today’s consumers are paying attention.

Curious to see how insights and texture transform the eating experience? Watch our quick video for a visual dive into the science and strategy behind texture innovation.

Why texture matters more than ever

According to Ingredion’s proprietary consumer research:

• 79% of consumers say texture shapes satisfaction
• 72% would switch brands over poor texture
• 60% actively seek products with multiple textures and flavors
• 8 in 10 recommend products based on texture alone

These stats reveal a powerful truth: texture drives consumer behavior. It plays a key emotional role in the eating experience, shaping satisfaction, perception and repeat interest.

Texture is a strategic advantage

In a competitive market, texture can be the difference between a product that blends in and one that stands out. Whether it’s the crispy snap of a cracker, the velvety melt of chocolate or the chewy bounce of a plant-based protein, texture communicates quality, freshness and indulgence.

That’s why leading food and beverage brands are investing in texture innovation — and why Ingredion is helping them do it smarter.

The Texture Equation℠: A smarter way to innovate

To help brands unlock the full potential of texture, Ingredion developed the Texture Equation℠ — a proprietary framework that combines:

• Consumer insights to understand what people want now and next
• Technical expertise to translate those desires into functional solutions
• Ingredient innovation to deliver textures that perform across applications

This approach supports customers from concept to commercialization, helping them create texture-forward products that resonate with consumers and stand out on shelves.

It all starts with insight

Before formulation begins, we start with foresight. Ingredion’s dedicated Insights team conducts continuous proprietary research to decode consumer behavior, anticipate emerging trends and guide texture innovation from the ground up.

Whether it’s the growing demand for multitexture experiences, the rise of plant-based indulgence or the desire for clean-label functionality, our insights help customers shape products that meet — and exceed — consumer expectations.

Elevating texture across categories

Ingredion’s texture solutions span a wide range of food and beverage categories, including:

No matter the category, texture plays a critical role in delivering satisfaction and driving repeat purchases.

What’s next in texture innovation?

Insights are just the beginning. In our next blog, we’ll explore how Ingredion’s expertise in plant science and ingredient processing helps brands elevate texture performance — from starch functionality to protein innovation and beyond.

We’ll show how our technical capabilities transform nature into next-gen texture, helping customers create products that are not only delicious but differentiated.

Meet the expert

Related Content and Resources

Looking to dive deeper into the science and strategy behind texture and ingredient innovation? Explore these expert resources to help you create products that delight consumers and stand out in the market. From understanding what makes textures craveable to unlocking the benefits of plant-based sweeteners, these insights will guide your next big idea.