The initial water content of cherry samples was determined with
the moisture analyzer XM120 Precisa (Switzerland). After drying
the samples were weighed and assessed qualitatively. In order to
evidence the difference between several modes of drying, the quality of the dried cherries was judged on the basis of the color and
water activity change. The color assessment was realized through
evaluation of the color difference (E), measured with the colorimeter CR-400 Konica Minolta (Japan). The color of the cherry
samples was indicated by CIELab color scale L*, a*, b*, where L* is
lightness, a* the color parameter (color space from red to green) and
b* represents color space from yellow to blue. E was calculated
according to the following formula: