Blanching can result in undesirable softening of vegetable
tissues. However, calcium can be added to reduce the
softening.[11] A combination of low-temperature blanching
and calcium addition has also been shown to be
effective in firming canned vegetables.[4] The latter is due
to the activity of pectin methyl esterase that produces
pectin with a reduced degree of methylation that readily
interacts wih calcium. Texture assessment of the effects of
blanching includes sensory characterization of firmness,
crispness, and crunchiness, and instrumental measurements
such as cutting energy and maximum shear force
(refer to an article entitled ‘‘Food Texture’’).