CONSISTENCY is commonly the textural property possessed by dairy products, sauces, syrups and pharmaceuticals lotions (i.e. fluid products).
It most often makes use of the back extrusion rig for its measurement. Consistency relates to the 'firmness', 'thickness' or 'viscosity' of a liquid or fluid semi-solid.
Stirring a fluid or semifluid food with a spoon or a finger is frequently used by consumers to give an indication of viscosity or consistency.
Imitative tests measure various properties under conditions similar to those to which the product is subjected in practice, for instance the properties of the material during handling, consumption or application.
The graphic below highlights the types of test for which a Texture Analyser is commonly employed, with real life examples for each of the principles and example texture analysis tests which can be performed.
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