Keywords: superheated steam, convection, roasting, physical characteristics, peanut, Arachis hypogaea *To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: taris@usm.my
IntroductionCooking represents an important step in food preparation as its acceptability by the consumer is dependent on the heat-induced reactions affecting the colour, aroma, flavour and texture quality of the final product. The correct choice of temperature, time and humidity could trigger the desired chemical reactions (protein denaturation, starch gelatinisation, Maillard reactions, etc.) and physical processes induced by heat during this thermal process, while undesired reactions are reduced (Lund, 2003).Radiation, conduction and convection are three mechanisms involving heat transfer that differ according to the type of product and the oven chamber design and operation. Air flow, heat supply, humidity, oven load and baking time are the major factors associated with heat distribution in the oven chamber. Heat absorption by the product affects its characteristics, which vary considerably during the course of the baking operation. At the beginning, high heat absorption