Most of us have measuring cups and spoons in our kitchens, but do we really know how to use them? Measuring the ingredients accurately and correctly helps to achieve consistent results. Click on any photo to enlarge it.
Steps
Step 1. Learn the difference between the measurements for liquid and dry substances and use the appropriate one
While they have the same volume, they are used differently however. The scale of values is shown for each measurement.
Step 2. Use a liquid measure for liquids, such as water, milk, or oil
Fill the cup to the appropriate line, place it on a flat surface and read the liquid level. The surface of the water curves down, so use the lower part of the curve for an accurate measurement and not the edge that is against the measuring cup. This is useful for bread recipes where the exact amount of water is essential.
Step 3. Use a dry powder measure, such as sugar, salt, and baking powder
Pour the powder into the cup with a spoon or scoop. Use a spatula or knife at the top to level the surface and scrape off any excess and put it back into the jar or container.
Step 4. Measure a liquid with a spoon and fill it completely
Step 5. Use spoons for dry substances by filling and then leveling with a spatula or knife
Many baking powder cans contain a leveling board. In an emergency, the edge of the lid can also be used.
Step 6. Measure with a "heaped" or "rounded" spoon, with a teaspoon, or (less frequently) with a cup
This amount is not that precise, but it is generally a mound more than the amount needed to fill the spoon.
Step 7. Measure a "thin" cup or spoon by filling the measuring cup that is not completely full, or by shaking it or pouring some out
Again, this is an inaccurate measure.
Step 8. Add if you don't have a measuring cup of the required size
For example, 1 3/4 tsp is 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp + 1/4 tsp.
Advice
- When you cook, based on a recipe. When you bake, based on a formula. For example, if you want a little more or less salt in your soup, taste it first, and then move on. On the other hand, if a muffin recipe says to add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, you should add exactly that much. Editing baked goods recipes can make you a less-than-tasty product. (Anything with baking powder needs some salt to help the process.)
- If you are trying a new recipe, try it exactly as it is written the first time. Make adjustments once you've tasted and know how it works.
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The US measures used in the kitchen have these proportions:
- 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon = 0.1486ml of liquid
- 16 tablespoons = 1 cup = 236.58ml of liquid
- 2 cups = 1 pint = 0.500ml liquid (one liter of water weighs one pound)
- 4 cups = 2 pints = 1 liter
- 4 quarts = 1 gallon = 3.78 liters
- Spoons are abbreviated T or Tbsp. Teaspoons are abbreviated t or tsp. The cups are abbreviated with c.
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Image Three tablespoons of butter. Butter often has the measures marked in spoons on the package. To use these measurements, use a sharp knife to cut straight through the block and package. Generally, a stick of butter is 1/2 cup.
- Flour is best measured by weighing it, but if you want to measure flour by volume, sift it first and use a measured spoon for dry substances, gently and without pressing or pressing. Then level with a knife as usual.
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Image A third of a cup of dark sugar. Measure the dark sugar by pressing moderately into a dry measuring cup with the back of the spoon.
- To measure things like grated cheese or chopped walnuts, fill without squeezing a dry measuring cup almost to the edge.
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Image Half a cup of peanut butter. To measure a substance with the consistency of peanut butter or edible fat, use a spatula to compact into a measuring cup for dryness. Then, use the putty knife to dig some more.
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Spraying the measuring cup with non-stick spray before filling with peanut butter helps the peanut butter slide in.
An alternative method of measuring large quantities (half a cup or more) of very compact substances (margarine, peanut butter, etc.) is to measure displacement. To operate in this way, take a large jug to measure liquids (for example one corresponding to 2 cups), fill it with water up to a certain point (for example 1 cup) and then with a scoop put the food you are trying to measure in water. Add the desired amount (e.g. half a cup) to the size of the water (e.g. a cup) and when the water level has reached the new level (one and a half cups), discard the water and use the amount of substance you measured
- A jigger or shot glass equals 0.1875 cups, or 3 tbsp. If you need to use a jigger you can find the measurements online.
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Image Have you visited us? A "sip", a "drop", a "piece", a "pinch". You can find the definitions and also the measures in spoons for a "pinch", a "sip" and so on. You can measure these quantities if you want, but expressions usually connote small generic quantities. Here are the quantities related to a teaspoon:
- Sip: 1/4 tsp
- Drop: 1/8 tsp
- Piece: 1/16 tsp
- Pinch: tsp 1/32.
- A "little" is not a specific measure, but rather a small amount of a semi-solid food or a splash of liquid. It's for tasting, mostly with a spoon.
Warnings
Do not put a wet or oily spoon in the container of a dry ingredient. You'll just make a mess. Whenever possible, measure dry ingredients first. If not, clean and dry the spoon
US measurements and metric equivalent
1/5 teaspoon = 1 milliliter, 1 teaspoon = 5ml, 1 tablespoon = 15ml, 1/5 cup = 50ml, 1 cup = 240ml, 2 cups (1 pint) = 470ml, 4 cups (1 liter) = 0.95 liters, 4 quarts (1 gal) = 3.8 liters.
