Gel Strength or “Stiffness” using Penetration Tests
The importance of the gel forming ability in surimi is vital, especially in the Japanese food Kamaboko. Strong gels can hold in water and maintain succulence and juiciness of the end-product. Loss of product quality, in the form of decreased gel-forming and water-holding capacity of surimi is attributable to two factors: temperature of heating and the addition of the incorrect level of cryoprotectants (added for the prevention of protein denaturisation during freezing).