The present invention relates to an improved beverage thickener system and beverage which achieve desired perceived viscosity levels and mouthfeel with reduced amounts of thickener while improving the mouthfeel characteristics of the beverage. The beverage and beverage thickener system comprise a thickener, preferably modified food starch, and a thickener adjuvant that is not a thickener. The weight ratio of modified food starch to thickener adjuvant typically is in the range of from about 40:1 to about 10:1.