Cereal has always been a classic breakfast option for adults and children alike, ranging from sweet to savory. Throughout the years, cereal hue has stayed consistent depending on its ingredients — even the colorful cereals at their core. For example, wheat-based cereals are often brown, and corn-based cereals are more yellow or orange.
To contribute appealing food products toward quality breakfasts, measure the color of your cereal at each stage of production.
Try measuring the cereal created in each stage of the cereal production process in large batches. Larger samples can produce a more accurate reading of their overall appearance, helping producers recognize consistency across batches.
Ultimately, deciding when to measure cereal samples depends on the producer's discretion. However, when faced with several steps in the process, measuring the color along the way can better the outcome of each batch.
Issues with the final product can often trace back to the quality of your ingredients. If you produce cereal that can be cooked, start by measuring the color of your cereal and confirming no problems with uncooked materials exist. A quick scan can keep the process moving along and prevent unnecessary cooking modifications.
In the same way, take a cereal color measurement after cooking. This ensures the final product comes out how you intend.
Whether your cereal product has a final coating determines if this step applies to you. If your coating contains additional colorants, it may be beneficial to analyze it on its own before testing the cereal with it. All these color measurements may seem excessive, but they are vital to saving time and money in the long run.
Many cereals have fruit or nuts added for extra nutrition or protein. Some fruits can leak color onto the cereal, casting a shadow and affecting its overall appearance. Like with all the other steps, be sure the add-ins are of the desired color and quality before mixing them in and measuring the hue again.
Because cereal comes in various shapes, sizes, and textures, traditional spectrophotometers may be more challenging to use for color measurement. The Aeros from HunterLab is specifically designed to measure the color and quality of non-uniform, textured samples. Simplify your color measurement processes with innovative technology that measures 27.5 square inches in five seconds.
HunterLab is an industry leader in color measurement, offering 70 years of experience to assist you in obtaining precise color data. Request a quote for the Aeros today to get started.
Mr. Philips has spent the last 30 years in product development and management, technical sales, marketing, and business development in several industries. Today, he is the global market development manager for HunterLab, focused on understanding customer needs, providing appropriate solutions and education, and helping to solve customer color challenges across these industries and cultures.LinkedIn