Abstract

A single puncture test (SPT) system was designed to determine textural changes in potato strips in situduring frying at 160, 175, and 190 °C. Puncture force changed drastically with time and depth in the strip during frying. Force-distance curves were expressed as representative textural parameters as CF (core force), RF (rupture force), and S (springiness). Normalized parameters CF* and S* for core force and springiness were used in modeling textural changes in the core during initial tissue softening and later crust development process, respectively. High frying temperatures accelerated the process, and the finished fried potato strip was a composite structure made of a hard crust and a soft core.