The hydration of semolina particles is an essential step in couscous processing which leads to binding between particles for the formation of agglomerates. Despite this importance, the hydration properties of such food products are rarely studied and in particular, durum wheat semolina has never been investigated. Here we present,a study of the hydration properties of durum wheat semolina by determination of water sorption isotherms, and other characterisation techniques to obtain a better understanding of hydration mechanisms. Equilibrium and dynamic sorption properties, have been measured as a function of relative humidity by means of a controlled atmosphere microbalance. It is found that durum wheat semolina presents a type II isotherm [F. Rouquerol, J. Rouquerol, K. Sing, Adsorption by Powders and Porous Solids-Principles Methodology and Applications, Academic Press, 1999] indicative of multi-layer adsorption. The Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model is used to describe the isotherm and obtain a better understanding of hydration mechanisms and liquid/solid interactions. The effects observed are related to physical properties of the semolina. In particular, the size of the semolina particles is found mainly to influence sorption kinetics: the finer the particles, the faster their sorption kinetics. Increasing temperature in the range 25-45 degreesC accelerates sorption kinetics. Furthermore, hydration causes no irreversible transformation of semolina components. Thus, absorption kinetics seem to be influenced by physical mechanisms, while the biochemical composition determines the amount of water sorbed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.