There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the L⁄ values of untreated and treated almonds in the ground state (Table 5). This also corroborates the observation by Ozdemir and Devres (2000) that the L⁄-values of both ground and whole kernels was constant for a particular time period before the roasting effect on kernel meat could be detected. On the contrary, even after the initial IR heating period in our study, the a⁄ and b⁄ values of ground state almonds were significantly different (P < 0.05) than those of untreated almonds. Indeed, a⁄ values significantly decreased and b⁄ values significantly increased. During roasting of nuts, both a⁄ and b⁄ values frequently increase (Saklar et al., 2001; Kahyaoglu and Kaya, 2006).