2.5.3. Hardness and adhesiveness
For each hardness and adhesiveness analysis, three spaghetti
strands (length, 40 mm) were cooked for the optimal cooking time.
After cooking, the spaghetti samples were gently blotted and analysed
using a texture analyser equipped with a stainless steel cylinder probe
(diameter, 2 cm). The three strands were put side by side on the
lower plate, and the upper plate was moved down onto the spaghetti
surface. The hardness (mean maximum force, N) and adhesiveness
(mean negative area, Nmm) were measured. Six
measurements were taken for each sample. The trial specifications
were as follows: preload 0.3 N; load cell 1 kN; percentage deformation
25%; crosshead speed constant, 0.25 mm/s.