Can’t help but feel that a preference for crunchiness in veg and fruit is linked to a preference for freshness. If you have an old carrot or cauliflower it really is a bit limp and unappealling.

Re chips and newspaper, however, i have to disagree. Crisp chips are not favoured in the North of England where they should be soggy, slightly disintegrating each other, with a few crunchy bits and a liberal dose of malt vinegar.