Abstract. Grain of Almari winter wheat variety, with two levels of initial moisture content (20 and 25%), was microwave dried for different time periods from 2.5 to 25 min. The resultant internal cracks were detected using soft X-ray technique. The physical condition of the endosperm was then quantified in terms of a damage index. Barrel-shaped core samples, cut from randomly selected kernels were then subjected to uniaxial compression tests to determine the stress at rupture point, strain, and the modulus of elasticity. A statistically significant correlation between drying conditions and mechanical properties was found. No effect of the initial moisture content on the physical condi­tions of the endosperm and on the mechanical properties under study was observed.