Take a bite of the cake, it is soft and dense without collapsing; Whispering a mouthful of noodles,QSmooth and chewy; Apply a lipstick that is silky and delicate without drying out……These make us feel“comfortable”The texture experience is actually hidden behind it“Invisible referee”——Texture analyzer.

Many people may not have heard of this name, but it has already permeated every aspect of our lives. From the food on supermarket shelves, to the beauty on the dressing table, to daily necessities, it is defined with precise data“texture”Protecting our consumer experience. Today, let's take you into the world of texture analyzer and see this“Texture Butler”How powerful is it really!

1、 What is a texture analyzer? Not only that“Measure hardness”so simple

Simply put, a texture analyzer is a device that can“Quantify texture”Precision instruments. The subjective experiences of softness, hardness, crispness, elasticity, and softness that we feel through our mouth and hands can all be transformed into objective and reproducible data here——For example, hardness, elasticity, chewiness, cohesiveness, cohesiveness, etc.

Its working principle is very intuitive: by simulating human chewing, touching and other actions, a specific probe is used to squeeze, puncture, cut, stretch and other operations on the sample, while recording the change curve of force and displacement. By analyzing the curve through professional software, we can abstract it“texture”Become a precise numerical indicator.

For example, if they are both cookies, some may bite into them“crispy”Some are soft and prone to moisture. The texture analyzer can be used to test the force value at the time of fracture through a puncture probe“Brittility data”Clearly distinguishing the differences between the two is more accurate and stable than our subjective feelings.

2、 The texture analyzer“main battlefield”Where do I need it“Texture control”It can be found anywhere

The application range of texture analyzer is much wider than we imagine, almost all of which require control“Touch and taste”The industry cannot do without its presence. The most core application areas among them hide the daily routines that we are most familiar with.

1. Food industry: Make every bite delicious“Stable online”

This is a common application scenario for texture analyzers. For food companies,“Stable taste”It is the key to retaining consumers——Can't the bread we bought this time be soft, and the next time we buy it will be hard?

In the baking industry, it can test the elasticity and chewiness of bread to ensure consistent taste after each fermentation and baking; In the dairy industry, it can detect the viscosity and gel strength of yogurt to avoid“Too thin like water”or“Too thick lumps”The problem; In the meat industry, it can measure the tenderness and elasticity of sausages, making every sausage bite strong; Even in the fruit and vegetable industry, it can test the hardness of fruits, determine maturity and transportation resistance, and reduce losses during transportation.

2. Beauty and Daily Chemicals: Your“Smooth experience”It's all thanks to its oversight

In addition to the food, the texture used is also guarded by the texture analyzer. For example, lipstick“Silky smoothness”The texture analyzer simulates the application process to test the yield strength and ductility of lipstick, ensuring that it does not lag or dry out during application; Face cream“Refreshing degree”“Absorption sensation”It can also be quantified by testing its adhesion and fluidity to avoid occurrence“Too oily and stuffy acne”or“Too dry and peeling”The problem.

Even shampoo and conditioner“Smoothness”Both can be evaluated by testing the friction force during hair combing using a texture analyzer——The experience of combing your hair to the bottom after washing it is the credit behind it.

3. new material&Packaging Industry: Invisible“Security Guard”

In places we cannot see, the texture analyzer is still guarding safety. For example, the sealing strength of food packaging can be tested for peel strength using a texture analyzer to ensure that the packaging is tightly sealed, preventing air leakage and moisture; The hardness and durability of biodegradable tableware can also be tested through it to ensure that it will not be easily damaged during use.

In the field of new materials, it can also test the rebound rate of sponges and the elasticity of rubber, providing accurate data support for product development and making new materials more in line with usage needs.

3、 Why do we need a texture analyzer? from“Based on intuition”to“Relying on data”The Crossing

Some people may ask: Is it not possible to rely on human tasting and touching? Why do we have to use instruments? In fact, the core value of texture analyzer is to solve the problem“subjective judgment”The drawbacks.

People's feelings are easily influenced by their environment and state——For example, when you are hungry, you feel that the biscuits are crisper, and when you are in a good mood, you feel that face cream is more nourishing. The feelings of different people vary greatly. And texture analyzer can provide objective and reproducible data, allowing enterprises to have a unified standard to follow in the research and development and production process.

For example, when developing a new cake, researchers can use a texture analyzer to test the taste data of different formulas and quickly find the formula that consumers like; During the production process, regular sampling with a texture analyzer can promptly detect deviations in product taste and prevent unqualified products from entering the market. For consumers, this is“Every purchase meets expectations”The guarantee.

4、 Not limited to“detection”Moreover, it is developed through research and development“good helper”

In addition to quality control, texture analyzers are also developed by enterprises“accelerator”Nowadays, many companies are pursuing“Better texture experience”For example, softer bread, smoother lipstickQSnacks that bounce require extensive experimental verification.

With the texture analyzer, R&D personnel no longer need to rely on“guess”and“try”——By adjusting the proportion of raw materials and process parameters, and then testing the data changes with a texture analyzer, a solution can be quickly found, greatly shortening the research and development cycle. For example, a certain milk tea brand has launched“Glutinous taro balls”It is through repeated testing of the elasticity and chewiness of taro balls using a texture analyzer that the cooking time and starch ratio are determined, creating a unique taste advantage.

Do you feel that the texture analyzer is both professional and friendly when you see this? It does not have complex operational barriers (for users), but it uses precise data to help us understand“Good texture”Expectations have become achievable and replicable standards.

The next time you eat food with good taste or use products with comfortable texture, you may want to think about it: behind this, there may be a contribution from the texture analyzer!