Colorimeters / Spectrophotometers
Colorimeters and spectrophotometers for quality control of food and beverages. Discover our products from BYK, Thermo Scientific, Hach, Hanna and Sherwood.
What model suits me best?
| INSTRUMENT TYPE | BEST SUITED FOR | WHAT IT MEASURES | KEY ADVANTAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorimeter / Chroma Meter | Routine color quality control and product-to-standard comparisons | Color coordinates and color differences | Fast, straightforward measurements for repetitive color checks |
| Spectrocolorimeter | More detailed color analysis of foods, powders, liquids and other products | Spectral reflectance converted into color values and color differences | Provides more complete spectral information than a basic tristimulus colorimeter |
| Portable Spectrophotometer | Color measurement at production lines, receiving areas or multiple locations | Spectral color data; some models also measure gloss | Combines detailed instrumental color measurement with portability |
| Visible Spectrophotometer | Quantitative analysis of solutions that absorb in the visible spectrum | Absorbance or transmittance as a function of wavelength | Suitable for concentration measurements and other photometric laboratory methods |
| UV-Vis Spectrophotometer | Laboratory methods requiring ultraviolet and visible wavelength measurements | Absorbance or transmittance across UV and visible wavelengths | Broader wavelength capability for analytical methods beyond visual color measurement |
| Application-Specific Photometer | Routine measurement of a defined parameter, such as honey color | A parameter or scale defined by the instrument's dedicated method | Simplifies testing when a general-purpose spectrophotometer is unnecessary |
Did You Know?
Two food products that appear to have virtually the same color under one type of lighting can look noticeably different under another. This phenomenon, known as metamerism, is one reason why an instrumental color match under a single illuminant does not necessarily predict appearance under every viewing condition. Spectrocolorimeters can use different illuminants and observer conditions to help evaluate these color differences more objectively.
Why can two instruments give different color values for the same sample?
Results can differ when instruments use different optical geometries, illuminants, observer settings, measurement apertures or calculation methods. When comparing measurements between instruments, production sites or suppliers, it is therefore important to standardize the measurement conditions and settings rather than comparing numerical values alone.
Why does measurement aperture matter for non-uniform food products?
For products with natural color variation, such as cereals, baked goods or certain meats, a very small measurement area may not adequately represent the entire sample. A larger aperture or multiple measurements at different locations can provide a more representative assessment of average product color. Sampling procedures should therefore take product uniformity into account.
Why measure color and gloss separately?
Two surfaces can have similar colorimetric values while appearing different because of their gloss. Changes in formulation, processing or surface condition may affect gloss without producing an equivalent change in measured color. Measuring these properties separately can provide a more complete characterization of the product's visual appearance.