Flour Color

One method used to measure flour color is the Minolta Chroma Meter Test.  


Method
1. A sample of flour is placed on the granular materials attachment and compacted.
2. The Minolta Chroma Meter is inserted into the granular materials attachment.
3. Measurements are taken and recorded.

Results
• Flour color is determined by measuring the whiteness of a flour sample with the Minolta Chroma Meter.
• Flour color results are reported in terms of 3-dimensional color values based on the following rating scale:
L* value whiteness 100 white
  0 black
a* value positive values +60 red color
negative values –60 green color
b* value positive values +60 yellow color
negative values –60 blue color

• The color values of a typical white flour, for example, are:
L* value +92.5 whiteness
a* value –2.4 green color
b* value +6.9 yellow color

Why is this important?
Flour color often affects the color of the finished product and is therefore one of many flour specifications required by end-users. Generally speaking, a bright white color flour is more desirable for many products.
Adapted from Minolta Chroma Meter CR-310 Instruction Manual, Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. 1991.