This work studies maize starches modified by a small-scale industrial double drum dryer. The impact of the processing thermal treatment is examined with respect to the morphology, texture and color of the dry product sheets. Moisture absorption/desoprtion tests are employed to evaluate the moisture exchange capability of the product sheets and also infer information about its bulk porosity. The variation of the intrinsic and apparent viscosity of the pregelatinized starches reconstituted with water to pastes is examined when the steam pressure, drum speed and level of the gelatinization pool between the drums are varied. Evidence is provided that the dispersed swollen starch granules control the rheological behavior of the starch pastes. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.