Finding pleasure in eating has become increasingly important for consumers who often seek a respite from their surrounding worries. Snacks that crunch tend to disappear from the table quickly. Why does this happen? It’s all because of their texture.
Crunchy snacks indeed stimulate our senses, inducing a feeling of relaxation and comfort. We crunch while watching TV, socializing with friends, or when we’re open to exploring new flavours. Often, we reach for crunchy snacks to alleviate stress. According to some researchers, the loud biting and crushing of food with our teeth help relax tense jaw muscles, resulting in stress reduction. The sound of crunching itself has a calming effect on some of us, helping to soothe negative emotions. Just the word “crunching” sounds very pleasant, and dishes described as crunchy on restaurant menus are more frequently ordered.
Evolutionary mechanisms
Our ancestors regarded crunchiness as a sign of food freshness. Sitting by the fire, roasting a piece of meat, if it remained firm and had a crunchy skin after roasting, it meant it was suitable for consumption.
Sensory habituation
The brain becomes accustomed to the sound of crunching and creates what is called sensory habituation, meaning we reach for what crunches more often. However, to enjoy crunchiness, strong jaw muscles and sturdy teeth are needed, so young children and older people may not enjoy crunching as much. Our rice and corn cakes are crafted with a unique air-popping technology, resulting in structures that are delightfully crunchy, but yet delicate, and even fluffy. This method creates large air spaces within the cakes, ensuring a satisfying crispiness and lightness.
Tasty must be healthy
In addition to crunchiness, what ingredients a product is made of is important. Cakes that smell like popcorn appeal to the sense of smell, pleasuring the right level of crunchiness and fullness of flavour. However, cakes must be baked without added fat, are gluten-free, and have reduced salt content, making them a healthier alternative for snack lovers.
