The kinetics of water absorption of firik, dovme and wheat was studied at 20degreesC, 30degreesC, 50degreesC and 70degreesC using Peleg's equation. The equation was capable of predicting water uptake of the three cereals. The Peleg's constants K, and K, were affected by temperature. The temperature dependence of 1/K-t followed an Arrhenius-type relationship. The activation energy was in the range of 9696 24288 kJ/kg mol. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.