Texture Analysis & Flowability of Coffee: Instant, Ground and Bean

Coffee is one of the most traded agricultural commodities in the world. According to Statista, revenue in the coffee market worldwide in 2020 amounts to USD 44.8 billion, and is expected to rise by 5% each year up to 2025.

It reaches the consumer in many different forms, from a creamy latte in a hipster coffee shop to a more basic instant. The three main forms that reach the supermarket shelf, however, are whole beans, ground and instant granules. This blog post covers the Texture Analysis techniques used by manufacturers in search of a perfect brew.

Texture Analysis in Action 2: Powder Vertical Shear Rig

Anyone who has handled powders has almost certainly come across a clogged hopper, and will know that this is caused by caking, arching or rat-holing. 

To measure the tendency of a powder to show these properties, the main property to consider is the powder’s bulk resistance to the initiation of flow. 

This helps to imitate the consolidation that occurs under the powder’s own weight when the outlet is shut and the feeder is switched off. It is when the outlet is opened and the feeder started again that the blockages can build up.

Texture Analysis in Action 2: Indexable Powder Compaction Rigs

Indexable Powder Compaction Rig (A/IPC0.5)

Many years ago we introduced two variants of Powder Compaction Rig (high tolerance and low tolerance) suited to high force applications. 

However, there is a need for powder compaction testing of similar sample volumes at lower compaction forces than the existing methods that require a TA.HDplus Texture Analyser. 

As such, we have developed two low force powder compaction fixtures – offering a choice of volumes for 10 samples – to provide indexable testing up to 50kg.f and to increase  useability and efficiency.

Texture Analysis in Action 2: Unconfined Yield Stress Rig

Stable Micro Systems have launched the Unconfined Yield Stress Rig for the measurement of powder flowability.

In industries that handle powders on a regular basis it is very important to understand how a powder or granular material responds to pressure. In storage, the weight of powder in a container exerts pressure on the particles at the bottom.

If the powder has good flow behaviour it will not consolidate and will flow out of the silo or hopper without sticking – this is very desirable. The longer a powder is stored for, the more likely it is to form a cake in its hopper and refuse to flow without further assistance.

New method for measuring Unconfined Yield Strength of Powder using your existing Texture Analyser

Stable Micro Systems have launched the Unconfined Yield Stress Rig for the measurement of powder flowability.

In industries that handle powders on a regular basis it is very important to understand how a powder or granular material responds to pressure. In storage, the weight of powder in a container exerts pressure on the particles at the bottom. If the powder has good flow behaviour it will not consolidate and will flow out of the silo or hopper without sticking – this is very desirable. The longer a powder is stored for, the more likely it is to form a cake in its hopper and refuse to flow without further assistance.

Measuring the Texture of Added Flavours to Food

Measuring Powdered/Granulated Ingredients
 
Everyone knows the incomparable taste of 
homemade sauces and gravies, painstakingly created from a fond or bouillon, formed by the prolonged simmering of bones, offcuts of meat and vegetables. 
 
Whilst the flavour is unmistakable, their preparation is extremely time-consuming and expensive. The food manufacturer has available a wide range of ingredients that can be used to create sauces and gravies with relative ease and convenience. Bouillon powders or cubes are commonly available.