Determining chewing efficiency using a solid test food and considering all phases of mastication.

•Chewing ability is related to oral functioning and food preference.•Using solid food, the median particle size, X50, is measured with number of chews.•Reduction in X50 is traditionally measured after the initial chewing phase.•Initial particles of appropriate size, shape and amount enable to measure all phases.•Testing of chewing ability needs less chews and bite force than traditionally used.