Patrick Oconnell
When it comes to cooking with parmesan cheese, volume measurements can be highly inaccurate due to differences in grater sizes and the fineness of the grate. This results in variations in the density and volume of the cheese. For example, a microplane grater produces high-volume, low-density shavings that can change the volume when placed in a measuring cup. As a result, weight measurements are often preferred over volume measurements for grated cheese. However, since cups are a measure of volume and ounces are a measure of weight, converting between the two for solids like parmesan cheese can be challenging.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Unit of measurement for spoons | US tablespoon: 14.8 ml; UK and Canadian tablespoon: 15 ml; Australian tablespoon: 20 ml |
| Unit of measurement for cups | US cup: 236.6 ml; Metric cup/UK cup: 250 ml; Canadian cup: 227.3 ml |
| Conversion for nutrition facts labeling | 1 teaspoon: 5 ml; 1 tablespoon: 15 ml; 1 cup: 240 ml; 1 fl oz: 30 ml; 1 oz: 28 g |
| Cups and ounces | 1 cup equals 8 ounces in water-based liquids; cups measure volume, ounces and pounds measure weight |
| Volume measurements for grated cheese | Inaccurate; use weight instead |
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What You'll Learn
Tablespoon measurements vary by country
The unit of measurement for spoons varies according to the country. A US tablespoon is approximately 14.8 ml, whereas a UK and Canadian tablespoon measures exactly 15 ml. In the late 19th century UK, the dessert-spoon and soup-spoon became more common than the table-spoon, which then took on a secondary meaning as a large serving spoon. Today, a British tablespoon is approximately 14.2 ml.
The Imperial Tablespoon was replaced by the metric tablespoon, which is 15 ml. However, Australia is the only country that uses the traditional measurement of 20 ml for a tablespoon. This is why it's important to check the date of publication of a recipe, as older recipes may refer to the imperial cup and imperial tablespoon.
The capacity of the utensil may differ significantly from the measurement. For instance, if a recipe calls for a level tablespoon, you should fill the spoon and scrape it level. On the other hand, a heaped or rounded spoonful is not levelled off and includes a heap above the spoon.
The unit of measurement for cups also varies according to country. A US cup is 236.6 ml, a metric cup (used in the UK and the rest of the Commonwealth) is 250 ml, and a Canadian cup is 227.3 ml. These differences in measurements can make converting cups to tablespoons challenging, especially when using tools from a different country.
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Cups measure volume, ounces and pounds measure weight
Cups are a unit of volume, typically used to measure liquids or bulk solids like flour and sugar. A cup of water in the US system is 236.6 millilitres, while in the UK and Canada, it is 227.3 millilitres, and in Australia and the metric system, it is 250 millilitres. A US legal cup is defined as 240 millilitres.
Ounces and pounds, on the other hand, are units of weight. One ounce is equal to 28 grams, and there are 16 ounces in a pound.
When it comes to measuring ingredients like Parmesan cheese, volume and weight measurements can't be directly converted since the density of the substance affects the relationship between volume and weight. For example, a cup of flour sifted and then levelled will weigh about 100 grams, while a cup of flour scooped and levelled will weigh about 140 grams.
To complicate matters further, the volume of a "cup" can vary depending on the country and the type of cup being used. In the US, a cup is typically 236.6 millilitres, while in the UK, a “breakfast cup” is slightly smaller at around 200-240 millilitres. In Australia, Canada, and other metric countries, a cup is 250 millilitres.
Therefore, when measuring Parmesan cheese, it's best to use a measuring spoon or cup and stick to volume measurements for accuracy. The number of tablespoons in a cup of Parmesan cheese will depend on the density of the cheese and how it is packed into the spoon or cup.
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Volume measurements for grated cheese are inaccurate
Another reason volume measurements for grated cheese are imprecise is the difference in grating tools and techniques used. A microplane grater, for example, produces fine shavings that can billow up and take up more volume, whereas a box grater with larger holes creates denser gratings that occupy less space. The method of measuring also varies; for dry ingredients, some recipes call for a level tablespoon, while others may instruct to heap or round the spoonful, impacting the overall volume.
Weight is a more reliable indicator of quantity than volume when it comes to grated cheese. However, even when measuring by weight, there are differences between coarsely and finely grated cheese. A cup of coarsely grated cheese will contain less cheese than a cup of the finely grated variety, as the latter has a higher density. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the grating size specified in the recipe.
To ensure accuracy in recipes, it is advisable to use weight measurements whenever possible, especially when dealing with solid blocks or chunks of cheese. Ounces, for instance, provide more precision than volume measurements. When weight measurements are unavailable, quick estimations can be made using household items as makeshift tools. For instance, a small handful of shredded cheese is roughly equivalent to a quarter of a cup.
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Using weight is preferable to volume measurements
The number of tablespoons in a cup of Parmesan cheese depends on the type of measurement used. One source states that a US tablespoon is approximately 14.8 ml, while a UK or Canadian tablespoon is exactly 15 ml, and an Australian tablespoon is 20 ml. A US cup is 236.6 ml, a UK cup is 250 ml, and a Canadian cup is 227.3 ml. Therefore, the number of tablespoons in a cup of Parmesan cheese will vary depending on the country and the specific measurements used.
Now, to address the topic of why using weight is preferable to volume measurements in cooking and baking:
Using weight as a measurement instead of volume can provide more accurate and consistent results in cooking and baking. Weight is a direct measure of an ingredient, whereas volume measurements can include variable amounts of empty space. For example, a teaspoon of granular salt can contain twice as much salt as a teaspoon of flake salt due to the difference in the particle size and the resulting empty space in a measuring spoon or cup. When it comes to dry ingredients, such as flour or salt, weight measurements are more reproducible and accurate than volume measurements. This is because the actual amount of the ingredient in a cup depends on how it was added to the cup—whether it was spooned in or if the measuring cup was dipped into the ingredient.
Additionally, weight measurements are generally more efficient for larger quantities of dry ingredients or gels, such as butter, lard, or shortening. It is faster, more accurate, and generates less cleanup. Professional recipes and those used in test kitchens almost always use weight measurements because of the importance of accuracy.
While volume measurements are commonly used for small amounts of wet and dry ingredients, such as spices, herbs, or flavorings, using weight even in these cases can provide better accuracy. For example, when measuring spices, using teaspoon fractions by weight is much faster than trying to weigh out small amounts on a scale that may not be accurate enough for fractions of grams.
Converting recipes from volume to weight measurements can be challenging, especially when dealing with ingredients of varying densities, such as flour and water. However, using weight measurements ensures more precise control over the ratio of ingredients, which is crucial in cooking as it involves managing chemical reactions.
In summary, using weight instead of volume measurements in cooking and baking offers several advantages, including improved accuracy, consistency, efficiency, and control over the final outcome. While converting recipes and adopting weight measurements may take some adjustment, the benefits can lead to more reliable and reproducible results in the kitchen.
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Precision in measurements is important
The issue of precision in measurements is complicated by the fact that the same unit of measurement can vary depending on the country. For example, a US tablespoon is approximately 14.8 ml, while a UK, Canadian, or metric tablespoon is exactly 15 ml, and an Australian tablespoon is 20 ml. Similarly, a US cup is 236.6 ml, a UK or metric cup is 250 ml, and a Canadian cup is 227.3 ml. These variations in unit sizes highlight the importance of precision when measuring ingredients, especially when following a recipe from a different part of the world.
The type of utensil used for measuring can also affect the accuracy of the measurement. The capacity of a spoon or cup can differ significantly from the standard measurement it is supposed to represent. Therefore, it is recommended to use dedicated measuring spoons and cups to ensure accuracy. For dry ingredients, a level tablespoon means filling the spoon and scraping it level, while a heaped or rounded spoonful includes a heap above the spoon.
When it comes to measuring grated Parmesan cheese, volume measurements can be highly inaccurate due to the variability in grate size and density of the cheese shavings. A microplane grater, for instance, produces tiny shavings that billow up and then collapse when touched, making it difficult to measure an exact volume. In such cases, it is advisable to use weight measurements instead of volume whenever possible. However, it is important to note that weight and volume measurements are not interchangeable, as an ounce measures weight, while a cup measures volume.
While some recipes may provide weight measurements for ingredients like Parmesan cheese, others may only specify a volume measurement. In such cases, using your judgment and taste preferences can be a reasonable approach, especially when the cheese is added for flavour rather than structure or texture. However, for baking recipes, precision in measurements is crucial to ensure the desired chemical reactions and outcomes.
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Frequently asked questions
There are approximately 16.1 US tablespoons in a US cup (236.6 ml).
There are approximately 15 UK or Canadian tablespoons in a UK or Canadian cup (250 ml).
There are approximately 11.8 Australian tablespoons in an Australian cup (200 ml).
A metric cup is the same volume as a UK cup, so there are approximately 15 tablespoons in a metric cup.
