Measuring Ingredients

Whitehall School District

FCS Department

Mrs. Stendahl

Objectives

Identify standard units of measure

Identify measuring tools

Describe the proper procedures to measure

various kinds of ingredients

Terminology

Volume-teaspoon, tablespoon, cup, fluid

ounce, quart, gallon

Equivalent-expressing the same amount of

ingredients in different units of measure

Units of Measure

Amounts of ingredients can be listed in

different measures

Most ingredients are listed by volume which

means the amount of space they take up

Some ingredients are measured by weight

A few ingredients are measured by the

number of items such as one banana or two

eggs

Units of Measure

The USA uses customary weights and

measures

Other places in the world use metric measure

Customary Units

The following are the most common units of measure found in recipes

They are often abbreviated

Volume: teaspoons (tsp. or t.), tablespoons (Tbsp. or T.), cup (C. or c.), fluid ounce (fl. oz.), pint (pt.), quart (qt.), and gallon (gal.)

Weight: ounce (oz.), pound (lb., lbs. or #)

Temperature: degrees Fahrenheit (◦F)

Length: inches (in.)

Customary Units

Weight can be measured in ounces

This type of ounce is not the same as volume

measure

A cup of popcorn and a cup of water are the

same amount but one definitely weighs more

than the other

To find out what each weighs you must use a

scale, not a measuring cup

Metric Measurements

Metric system is based on multiples of ten

Once familiar with the system it is easier than the customary units of measure

These measures are usually found in recipes

Volume: milliliter (mL), liter (L)

Weight: milligram (mg), gram (g), kilogram (kg)

Temperature: degrees Celsius (◦C)

Length: centimeters (cm)

Equivalents-Volume

Customary

Measure

Customary

Equivalent

Approximate

Metric Equivalent

1 tsp. 5 mL

1 Tbsp. 3 tsp. 15 mL

1 fl. Oz. 2 Tbsp. 30 mL

¼ cup 50 mL

1/3 cup 75 mL

½ cup 125 mL

2/3 cup 150 mL

Equivalents-Volume

Customary

Measure

Customary

Equivalent

Approximate

Metric Equivalent

¾ cup 175 mL

1 cup 8 fl. oz. or 16

Tbsp.

250 mL

1 pt. 2 cups or 16 fl.

oz.

500 mL

1 qt. 2 pt. or 4 cups or

32 fl. oz.

1000 mL or 1L

1 gal. 4 qt. 4 L

Equivalents-Weight

Customary

Measure

Customary

Equivalent

Approximate

Metric Equivalent

1 oz. 28 g

1 lb. 16 oz. 500 g

2 lb. 32 oz. 1000 g or 1 kg

Equivalents-Temperatures

Customary

Measure

Customary

Equivalent

Approximate

Metric Equivalent

0 ◦F -18 ◦C

32 ◦F 0 ◦C

350 ◦F 180 ◦C

400 ◦F 200 ◦C

Equipment for Measuring

The well equipped kitchen includes the

following measuring tools:

Dry measures-the customary set will include

1 cup, ½ cup, 1/3 cup, and ¼ cup

Liquid Measuring cups-are transparent, have

a spout and are for measuring all pourable

ingredients

Liquid measuring cups are marked with fluid

ounces, and fractions of a cup

Equipment for Measuring

Measuring Spoons-comes in a set of four or five spoons

Customary measurements include: ¼ tsp., ½ tsp., 1 tsp. and 1 Tbsp.

Always use standard measuring tools

Nonstandard items such as cups and spoons are used for serving foods and vary in sizes

Use a straight edged spatula to level the dry measures

Equipment for Measuring

Restaurants will use scales to measure the

ingredients for recipes

Weight is a more accurate measure for

ingredients

Weight is used most often for large quantities

of measure

It is quicker to weigh out ingredients than to

measure them if making large quantities

Using Combinations of Measures

Sometimes you will need to use a combination of measuring cups or spoons to get the measurements you need in recipes

To make ¾ cup you will need to use the ½ cup and ¼ cup or measure ¼ cup three times

It is more accurate when you measure the least amount of times, so ½ and ¼ is a better method to use

Knowing the equivalents makes measuring easier

Techniques for Measuring

In addition to proper tools, you also need to

use the right methods to get the proper

amounts of measure

Measuring Liquids

Liquid measuring cups are used to measure all liquids, oils, and syrups

1. Set the cup on a level surface

2. Carefully pour the liquid into the measuring cup

3. Bend down and look at the measurement at eye level for proper reading

4. Add more liquid or pour off excess to the desired measurement

Measuring Liquids

5. Look for the meniscus

6. Pour into the mixing container, using a rubber

scraper to empty the cup completely

Measuring Dry Ingredients

Nested, Dry or Mary Ann Measuring cups are

used to measure dry ingredients such as

flour, sugar, dry beans, diced meat,

chopped vegetables, nuts, chocolate chips,

etc.

Different items are measured differently.

Follow along for the steps for each

Measuring Dry Ingredients-White Sugar

1. Take the nested measuring cup of the size

called for in the recipe and scoop up the

granulated sugar so the sugar is heaping in

the cup

2. Using a level spatula, scrape over the top of

the cup to level the sugar off while the cup

is held over the canister of sugar

3. Pour into the mixing bowl or pitcher, etc.

Measuring Dry Ingredients-Brown Sugar

1. Take the nested measuring cup of the size called for in the recipe and scoop up the brown sugar packing it tightly along the side of the canister.

2. Be sure that the sugar is tightly packed and has more than a level cupful.

3. Using a level spatula, scrape over the top of the cup to level the sugar off while the cup is held over the canister of sugar

4. Pour into the mixing bowl or pitcher, etc.

Measuring Dry Ingredients-Flour

1. Stir the canister of flour gently. Scoop up

spoonfuls of flour and gently place into the

measuring cup while holding over the

canister. Add spoonfuls until the flour is

heaping over the top of the cup.

2. Using a level spatula, scrape over the top of

the cup to level the flour off while the cup is

held over the canister of flour.

3. Pour into the mixing bowl or pitcher, etc.

Measuring Dry Ingredients-Sifted Flour

Note that some recipes will call for sifted flour.

If this is the case, do the following:

Place a sheet of waxed paper on the counter.

Sift flour onto the waxed paper.

Gently spoon flour into the measuring cup. Add spoonfuls until the flour is heaping over the top of the cup.

Measuring Dry Ingredients-Sifted Flour

Using a level spatula, scrape over the top of

the cup to level the flour off while the cup is

held over the canister of flour.

Pour into the mixing bowl or pitcher, etc.

Measuring Dry Ingredients-Loose items

Gently spoon the item into the cup.

Fill to the top and check the height with the

palm of your hand.

Do not heap the cup unless indicated.

Pour into the bowl or container.

Measuring Solid Fats-Stick Method

1. This method is for fat that comes in sticks such as

butter or margarine and some shortenings.

2. The wrapper is marked with tablespoons and

fractions of a cup.

3. Simply cut off the amount you need as indicated

on the lines of the paper wrapper.

4. You can open the paper or cut right through it.

5. Remove the paper and put into the bowl, etc.

Measuring Solid Fats-Dry Measuring Cup

Method

1. Pack the fat down into the cup, pressing firmly to

fill in all the spaces.

2. Level off the cup using a rubber scraper.

3. Then using the rubber scraper, empty out the

measuring cup into the bowl, etc.

4. Use the same method with measuring spoons.

Measuring Solid Fats-Water Displacement

Method

1. This method combines fat with water in the

measuring cup and requires some math.

2. Subtract the amount of fat to be measured form

one cup.

3. The difference is the amount of water that you will

pour into the cup.

4. Scoop fat into the cup until the water rises to the

one cup measurement.

5. Look for the meniscus.

Measuring Solid Fats-Water Displacement

Method

6. Pour off the water using a spoon or spatula to hold

the fat from falling out of the cup when you turn the

cup over.

7. Pour the fat into the mixing container, using a

rubber scraper to empty the cup completely

Measuring by Weight

Some ingredients will be measured by

weight. Containers of products that you

purchase may be the exact weight needed.

You may need to use a food scale.

Measuring with the Food Scale

Decide what container you will be measuring

the ingredients into.

Put the container on the scale and then

adjust the scale to read zero.

Add the food to the container until the scale

reads the amount needed.