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Set yoghurts produced with seven different exopolysaccharide‐producing starter cultures were subjected to sensory texture profiling including texture evaluation before and after a stirring procedure carried out by trained assessors. The microstructure of four selected yoghurts was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy with special focus on the distribution of exopolysaccharides (EPS) in the protein network. Two different types of microstructures were observed, one in which EPS were associated with the protein network and another where EPS appeared to be incompatible with the protein; as a consequence, the EPS were situated in the void spaces in the protein network. The latter yoghurts were less ropy and had higher serum separation than the yoghurts where EPS were associated with the protein, and they exhibited a significant increase in mouth thickness as a result of stirring. Yoghurts in which the EPS were associated with protein had high ropiness, low serum separation and appeared more resistant to stirring. The nature of EPS‐protein interactions is extremely important for the textural effects of EPS in fermented milk products, and such interactions depend on the specific starter culture used.

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Mixed cultures of different EPS-producing Streptococcus thermophilus strains in combination with a Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strain with negligible EPS-production were used for yoghurt production. The yoghurt texture was characterised with respect to sensory, rheological and microstructural properties and the EPS-concentrations were determined. The cultures resulted in yoghurts with highly different texture properties, and positive interactions between certain Streptococcus thermophilus strains were observed. The underlying properties of yoghurt texture are multidimensional, but a number of microstructural characteristics were apparent in the yoghurts with the highest mouth thickness, creaminess and viscosity. A strong protein network, not too dense and with medium size pores containing EPS, seems associated with these properties. The presence of capsular polysaccharides (CPS) also appeared to be beneficial as did a combination of EPS types, which were distributed differently in the protein network (in serum pores, respectively in association with protein). Obviously, a certain concentration of EPS must be present to provide for these effects on yoghurt texture, but other factors than concentration per se seem more important.

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