Flavor-intensity perception: Effects of stimulus context

► Four experiments measure how stimulus context affects ratings of intensity of flavor mixtures containing a gustatory and an olfactory flavorant. ► Ratings of flavor intensity approximate additive effects of the two components in most conditions of the experiments. ► Stimulus context shows separate contrast (adaptation-like) effects on each component. ► We conclude that context may act on gustatory and olfactory signals before they combine in flavor perception.