Astringency of aqueous solutions of phenolic compounds (grape seed tannins, tannic acid, catechin and gallic acid) increased upon addition of citric acid, whereas the astringency of alum was reduced. Astringency of alum was decreased equivalently by addition of equi-sour levels of lactic acid, citric acid or hydrochloric acid. The difference between alum and the phenolic compounds is speculated to result from chemical modifications affecting binding of the astringents with oral proteins rather than cognitive differences. Chelation of the aluminum ion in alum by acids reduces its availability for interacting with salivary proteins or epithelial proteins. In contrast, the increased astringency produced upon acidification of phenolic compounds is speculated to result from the pH driven increase in the affinity of the phenols for binding with proteins. These results suggest that alum cannot be used interchangeably with phenolic astringents in psychophysical studies.