Ingredients can be discharged from microcapsules in a variety of ways, for instance, through:

• dissolving the wall in the watery environment
• dissolving the wall in the watery environment at prior specified temperatures
• pressure, whereby the capsule wall splits and the contents are released
• enzymatic reduction (e.g. diastase in the saliva)
• heat, which causes the capsule wall to melt
• ripping open the capsule wall caused by excess, internal pressure
• diffusion (rapid or slow discharge through larger or smaller pores in the capsule wall (microporous capsule wall grill))
• pH-modification