Lab technologiesTexture analysis
"Crunchy", "chewy", "too soft": words everyone understands differently. A texture analyser turns them into numbers you can compare between formulations, batches and storage samples. It is one of our specialities, and we choose the test for the product, not the other way round.
TPAfracture forceN · mm · sacoustic
How we measure crispness
Crunchiness and crispness can be evaluated objectively, but the correct method depends on the product. We select a compression, puncture, three-point bending, shear or bulk-fracture test and measure initial fracture force, number of fracture events, size of force drops, work to break, hardness, structural recovery and, where relevant, acoustic response. A biscuit, an extruded snack, a coated nut and a protein bar will not necessarily need the same test, and the method should be correlated with sensory perception.
What else we measure
- TPA (Texture Profile Analysis): hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, chewiness and gumminess.
- Texture of meat and meat analogues, cheese and cheese analogues, gels and yogurts.
- Hardening of protein bars over shelf life.
- Crust, crispness and softness of bakery products over time.
- Texture versus water activity: curves showing at which aw a crisp product goes soft.
Why it matters
Instrumental measurement allows formulations, processes, production batches and storage samples to be compared more objectively than sensory assessment alone, and it is the basis of any shelf-life study where texture is the failure mode. See The Whole Package.
Frequently asked questions
Can we send samples for texture analysis without a development project?
Yes. Texture analysis is also a stand-alone service: we define the question together (comparing versions, storage monitoring, comparison with a competitor product), choose the test that fits the product, and you receive a report with the numbers and their interpretation.
How many samples are needed?
Instrumental measurement varies between units, so we measure several replicates per version, usually 5 to 10, so that the difference between versions is significant rather than noise. The number of replicates depends on the product and on the size of the difference you are looking for.
Let's put your idea on the bench
A short first conversation: the product or challenge, the market, where you are, and what's already known. Then we ask for a short brief and come back with a proposal.
Talk to usQuestions about cost, timelines or who owns the formula? Read the FAQ