Best Practices for Measuring the Color of Raw Grain

Raw grain is a material that goes into several other products and at-home recipes. Measuring its color and quality has been challenging in the past, but today's technology opens new doors for quicker and more efficient processes. With the help of a spectrophotometer from HunterLab, you can streamline your company's raw grain production times.

Importance of Raw Grain Color Quality

Raw grains can include anything from barley to oats to quinoa. If you are involved in the grain production process, it's important to maintain motivation for keeping your grain up to industry standards. Raw grain is used in other products around the world, and consumers want to know they can trust your offerings.

Stay aware of these factors that can interfere with grain color quality:

• Previous production: Whether your company is developing the grain or you have a supplier, measuring its color quality helps you understand if any extrinsic factors could have affected the grain's color. For example, herbicides, insecticides, mycotoxins, and fungicides on a crop can affect the overall product safety and hue. Also, be sure to check the grain for kernel damage, which can cause consumers to reject it.
• Improper storage: Storing grain in a high-temperature or high-moisture environment can influence its appearance, making it grow mold or fungus. In opposite conditions, grain can shrink and lose value.
• Low metabolization: The smaller the grain size, the lower the metabolization rate, making the grain color become darker. Subsequently, its quality — and overall taste — also decreases.

Color Measurement and Classification of Raw Grain

Measuring the color of raw grain several times during production can prevent any issues from stopping efficiency. The simplest way to measure large batches of grain at a time is with a spectrophotometer.

Spectrophotometers are technological devices that measure color and ensure quality standards are met based on quantitative values — making them more accurate than any other alternative.

At HunterLab, we have a series of spectrophotometers to match any lab testing situation. For raw grains, we recommend our ColorFlex EZ spectrophotometer, a small and compact device providing accurate measurements and grain classification. This device provides precise color data with its EasyMatch QC software that includes common food industry scales and indices.

Receive Spectrophotometer Solutions From HunterLab

HunterLab can help your company's lab find the right spectrophotometer for all color measurement needs. Contact us today for a quote.