Blog

The details of how HunterLab sphere instruments conform to ASTM D1003 Section 8: Procedure B Spectro

Posted on Jan 27, 2026 by HunterLab

HunterLab sphere instruments with CIE d/8 geometries conform to the requirements of ASTM D1003 Section 8: Procedure B Spectrophotometer. The measurement of transmission haze using Procedure B instruments will be in close agreement with ASTM D1003 Procedure A Haze meter.

Meeting ASTM D1003 Section 8 Procedure B Requirements

Here is a more detailed description of how the HunterLab UltraScan PRO and UltraScan VIS meet the requirements of Section 8.

Procedure B (Spectrophotometer)

8.1 Apparatus:

8.1.1 The instruments used for measurement shall meet the geometric and spectral requirement of this section.

HunterLab UltraScan VIS and UltraScan PRO instruments meet ASTM D1003 Section 8 Procedure B Spectrophotometer requirements.

8.1.2 The instrument shall be capable of computing from the spectral data the 1931 CIE tristimulus values and related color coordinates for CIE standard Illuminant C or alternatively Illuminant A.

HunterLab offers A/2 and C/2 options for calculating Haze%, Y Total and Y Diffuse luminous transmission in EasyMatch QC software.

8.1.3 The instrument shall utilize a hemispherical optical measuring system, with an integrating sphere, in which the specimen can be placed flush against the sphere port. The surfaces of the interior of the integrating sphere, baffles, and reflectance standards shall be matte, of substantially equal reflectance and highly reflecting throughout the visible wavelengths.

HunterLab UltraScan VIS and UltraScan PRO sensors and internal components are coated with Spectralon having a 99%+ reflectance. Transparent specimens for haze measurement are placed at the TTRAN port, flush against the sphere.

The UltraScan VIS and Pro come with white, Japanese commercial opal reflectance standard of 99%+ reflectance.

8.1.4 Two geometries can be used: unidirectional illumination with diffuse viewing and diffuse illumination with unidirectional viewing. Using diffuse illumination with unidirectional viewing, the following apply:

HunterLab UltraScan VIS and UltraScan PRO sensors have a diffuse illumination with unidirectional viewing (8°) geometry. They are referred to as CIE-conforming diffuse d/8° sphere instruments.

8.1.4.1 Use an integrating sphere to illuminate the specimen diffusely; the sphere may be of any diameter as long as the total port areas do not exceed 4.0 % of the internal reflecting area of the sphere. The specimen and light trap ports of the sphere shall be centered on the same great circle of the sphere, and there shall be at least 2.97 rad (170°) of arc between their centers.

The light trap port shall subtend an angle of 0.14 rad (8°) at the center of the specimen port along the wowing beam. With the light trap in position, without specimen the axis of the viewing beam shall pass through the centers of the specimen and light trap ports.

Using ASCII Export on Multiple Jobs

Posted on Jan 27, 2026 by HunterLab

Can you use the Automatic ASCII Export feature on more than one Job so that each Job exports to a separate file?

Providing everything is setup correctly within the EasyMatch QC software, it is possible to use the Automatic ASCII Export feature on more than one Job and to have each Job export to a different file. To make sure this is setup properly each Job must be saved once the ASCII Export configuration has been set. For more information on setting up the ASCII Export please see our blog note here.

Once you have designated the file name to be used in the ASCII Export Configuration screen make sure you go to File/Save Job. This will save your ASCII Export Configuration settings to your Job. You can then create a new Job, or open a Job and go to Options/ASCII Export/Configure and use a new file name as the designated location. When you are finished go to File/Save Job to save the configuration. This can be done for as many Job files as you need. Just be certain once you designate the export file name and location in Options/ASCII Export/Configure to save the Job by going to File/Save Job.

Using Spectrophotometry for Accurate Haze Measurement to Improve Quality Perception of Beer

Posted on Jan 27, 2026 by HunterLab

Haze can have a significant impact on consumer perception of beer quality. Image Source: stock.tookapic.com

Creating the perfect beer is truly a craft. Both beer connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike often know exactly what they’re looking for in a beer and, just as importantly, what they’re not looking for. As such, breweries must take great care in creating beers that not only taste delicious but are appealing to the eye. One of the primary aesthetic concerns breweries face is haze, or turbidity, which interferes with the clarity of beers and can drastically affect consumer purchasing decisions as well as taste and quality perception.

Seeking Clarity

Haze is the scattering of light by fine particles that produces a clouding effect in transparent liquids. In beer, haze particles are typically the result of non-biological factors such as starches, lipids, proteins, polyphenols, and colloidal carbohydrates. At times, haze from these sources may only be apparent in cold conditions, a phenomenon known as “chill haze.” In other cases, haze is caused by biological components such as microorganisms, which can indicate contamination and is a non-reversible feature of the beer. Although haze has no inherent meaning—it may be a benign aesthetic quality, a predictor of shelf life, or a major indicator of spoilage—its presence is typically undesirable for consumers regardless of whether or not it impacts taste. As Professor Chengdao Li says, “Beer drinkers are becoming more sophisticated, they want a beer looking good, very clear with good colour and no haze.”1 Driven by this market demand, researchers have spent considerable time investigating how to eliminate haze through raw ingredient selection, beer formulation, and specific processing methods designed to eliminate cloudiness. Meanwhile, both the European Brewery Convention (EBC) and the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) have developed haze measurement standards to classify brews according to clarity.2

Spectrophotometric haze measurement can be a critical part of evaluating the impact of beer variables, such as wheat variety. Image Source: Pexels user Zugr

What are Hydrochromic or Hygrochromic Color Samples?

Posted on Jan 27, 2026 by HunterLab

Both “hydro” coming from Greek origins for water and “hygro” coming from the Greek “hygrós” for wet or moist, tend to be used in two terms for the same optical phenomena.

ASTM E284 on standard appearance terminology prefers the name “hygrochromic”.

What is HCCI – HunterLab Coffee Color Index?

Posted on Jan 27, 2026 by HunterLab

HCCI – HunterLab Coffee Color Index measures the reflectance of ground coffee products at 640 nm, which is optimal for defining the degree of roast.

HCCI works best for measuring during the roasting process, taking the coffee product to a consistent end point.

HCCI = [HCCI_slope * R%(640 nm)] + HCCI_offset

where default coefficients for HCCI_slope = 1.958 and HCCI_offset = – 3.32.

HCCI* comes with a user-adjustable bias and offset in each setup to allow display in agreement with existing instruments.

HCCI values are typically displayed to 1 decimal place.

HCCI correlates well with the visual SCAA Roast Standards and exhibit 20 unit range.

The HunterLab ColorFlex EZ Coffee meter comes with a built-in correlation to report HCCI – HunterLab Coffee Color Index, SCAA # and SCAA Roast Classification, all used to quantify the degree of coffee roast.

HunterLab ColorFlex Coffee with HCCI# with correlated SCAA# and SCAA Roast Classification displayed.

Utilizing Beta-Carotene as a Food Colorant: Spectrophotometer Applications for Concentration Analysi

Posted on Jan 27, 2026 by HunterLab

The FDA is responding to consumer demands with new regulations on the use of artificial food colorants and manufactures must seek more natural alternatives. Image Source: Flickr user Mike Mozart

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and my calendar is filled with parties and festivities that allow me to share this joyous season with family and friends. Most holiday gatherings involve a fair share of snacks and food. However, as much as I love those brightly colored cheese puffs, I worry that maybe the artificial food colorant that fills my plate may not be so wonderful at all. Consumers are starting to be more aware of what they put into their bodies and there has been a lot of controversy over the use of artificial food colorant in recent years. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is in the process of developing new regulations which have manufacturers looking for more natural alternatives.

Beta-Carotene is a naturally derived pigment that is abundant in many fruits and vegetables, and provides an alternative for food colorant in many products within the food and beverage industries. Its strong red-orange hue makes it an ideal alternative to artificial food colorants, plus beta-carotene provides an excellent source of vitamin A and its antioxidant properties are an added bonus. Spectrophotometers play an essential role in the measurement of beta-carotene as both a nutritional supplement and a natural food colorant. Processing, labeling, and regulations all require quantifiable color measurement to ensure quality and consistency in the food and beverage industries, and spectrophotometers provide the ideal means to do so.

Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Measuring the Color of Green Coffee Beans

Posted on Jan 27, 2026 by HunterLab

High-quality coffee beans go through a number of evaluations before they ever make it to the sales shelves or coffee shops. While measuring the color of coffee beans throughout the roasting process is an obvious metric, the beans should first go through green grading. Green grading coffee helps identify deformities, shells, and other issues that may present inconsistencies throughout the roasting and grinding processes.

Discover some of the best practices in measuring the quality of green coffee and ensuring your coffee products are consistent in color and flavor with HunterLab's expertise.

Interested in a little light reading?

"The details of how HunterLab sphere instruments conform to ASTM D1003 Section 8: Procedure B Spectro"

"Using ASCII Export on Multiple Jobs"

"Using Spectrophotometry for Accurate Haze Measurement to Improve Quality Perception of Beer"

"What are Hydrochromic or Hygrochromic Color Samples?"

"What is HCCI – HunterLab Coffee Color Index?"

"Utilizing Beta-Carotene as a Food Colorant: Spectrophotometer Applications for Concentration Analysi"

"Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Measuring the Color of Green Coffee Beans"

The details of how HunterLab sphere instruments conform to ASTM D1003 Section 8: Procedure B Spectro

Meeting ASTM D1003 Section 8 Procedure B Requirements

Using ASCII Export on Multiple Jobs

Can you use the Automatic ASCII Export feature on more than one Job so that each Job exports to a separate file?

Using Spectrophotometry for Accurate Haze Measurement to Improve Quality Perception of Beer

Seeking Clarity

What are Hydrochromic or Hygrochromic Color Samples?

What is HCCI – HunterLab Coffee Color Index?

Utilizing Beta-Carotene as a Food Colorant: Spectrophotometer Applications for Concentration Analysi

Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Measuring the Color of Green Coffee Beans