Frederic Melton
When cooking with cheese, it can be tricky to figure out the right amount to buy if your recipe calls for a certain number of cups of grated cheese, and your cheese is sold by weight. The density of grated cheese also depends on whether it is coarsely or finely grated. To complicate matters further, different types of cheese have different conversions. For example, 1 cup of crumbled blue cheese or feta is 4 oz, whereas 1 cup of shredded soft cheese like cheddar or mozzarella is also 4 oz, but 1 cup of grated hard cheese like parmesan is only 2 oz.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of tablespoons in one cup of grated cheese | 16 |
| Number of fluid ounces in one cup | 8 |
| Number of ounces in one cup of grated hard cheese | 2 |
| Number of ounces in one cup of shredded soft cheese | 4 |
| Number of ounces in one cup of crumbled cheese | 4 |
| Number of grams in one ounce | 28.3 |
| Number of grams in one pound | 454 |
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What You'll Learn
Grated cheese density
The density of grated cheese depends on the type of cheese and the coarseness of the grate. For example, the density of Emmentaler cheese, when grated, is 340 kg/m³. Parmesan cheese, on the other hand, has a density of 191 grams per metric cup or 6.4 ounces per US cup. This difference in density between various cheeses is due to their distinct compositions and moisture content.
When measuring cheese by weight, it is important to remember that the coarseness of the grate affects the density. Coarsely grated cheese is denser than finely grated cheese. This means that a cup of coarsely grated cheese will have less cheese than a cup of finely grated cheese. Therefore, when substituting grated cheese for shredded or cubed cheese in a recipe, the volume measurements may not be exact, but a little more or less cheese will not significantly affect the outcome.
To measure grated cheese accurately, it is recommended to grate the cheese directly onto a piece of waxed paper placed over a measuring cup. This makes it easy to pour the grated cheese into the measuring cup without creating a mess. However, it is generally not necessary to stress about having the exact amount of cheese specified in a recipe that uses cup measurements.
Additionally, it is worth noting that pre-shredded cheese from supermarkets often contains additives to prevent clumping and mold, whereas grating your own cheese is a simple and cost-effective alternative. With a basic box grater, shredding one cup of cheese can be done in under two minutes.
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Buying cheese in cups
When buying cheese in cups, it's important to understand the different measurements used for cheese and how they convert. Cheese is often sold in wedges labelled in pounds, while recipes might call for a certain number of cups or grams of grated cheese. Knowing how these measurements relate to each other can help you buy the right amount of cheese.
For example, one pound of Parmesan cheese equals approximately 4 1/2 cups when grated. So, if you need 1 cup of grated Parmesan, you would need about 1/4 pound of cheese. This conversion factor applies to Parmesan and similar hard cheeses like Pecorino. It's worth noting that when measuring by weight, coarsely grated cheese is denser than finely grated cheese. In other words, a cup of coarsely grated cheese will have less cheese than a cup of finely grated cheese.
To make measuring grated cheese easier, you can use a simple technique. Place a piece of waxed paper over your grater, so that once you've grated the desired amount of cheese, you can easily transfer it to your measuring cup without making a mess. This can be especially helpful when grating sticky cheeses.
Additionally, keep in mind that while it's important to follow recipe measurements, a little more or less cheese usually won't significantly impact the outcome of your dish. So, if a recipe calls for 1 cup (8 ounces) of shredded cheese, using 7 ounces is unlikely to make a noticeable difference. However, it's always better to buy slightly more cheese than you think you'll need to avoid running out during preparation.
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Grating your own cheese
To begin grating, place a large piece of parchment paper under your grater to catch the cheese. This is safer and more stable than using a bowl or plate. You can also use a rimmed baking sheet to contain the mess of a box grater without getting in the way of your hands. Alternatively, you can grate the cheese directly onto a piece of parchment paper, which can then be used to easily pour the cheese into a measuring cup.
If you are grating semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or Swiss, it is best to put the block of cheese in the freezer first, as they are too pliable for shredding straight from the refrigerator. When using a box grater, it is easier to grate with the grater on its side, as you can move the block of cheese horizontally, and the shredded cheese falls into the body of the grater.
Finally, it is important to note that the density of grated cheese can vary. One cup of coarsely grated cheese will contain less cheese than a cup of finely grated cheese.
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Converting cups to tablespoons
When it comes to cooking, precise measurements can be crucial for a recipe's success. Converting cups to tablespoons is a straightforward process, but it's important to note that the conversion may vary slightly depending on the type of cheese and the fineness of grating.
For a general rule of thumb, one cup of grated cheese is equivalent to 16 tablespoons. This conversion holds true for various types of cheeses, including shredded soft cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella, as well as crumbled cheeses such as blue cheese, feta, and goat cheese. However, it's worth noting that the density of grated cheese can vary, and one cup of coarsely grated cheese will contain less cheese than a cup of finely grated cheese.
Taking Parmesan cheese as an example, one cup of grated Parmesan equates to 2 ounces, which is half the amount of shredded soft cheeses that would fit in a cup. This difference in density is essential to consider when converting cups to tablespoons, as it will impact the overall quantity of cheese in your recipe.
While the 1-cup-to-16-tablespoons rule is a good guideline, it's always advisable to refer to specific cheese types and their corresponding conversions. For instance, 1 cup of crumbled blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese will yield 4 ounces, whereas the same amount of shredded soft cheese will give you twice as much, at 8 ounces. Understanding these nuances will ensure your recipes turn out as expected, especially when dealing with cheeses of varying textures and densities.
In summary, converting cups to tablespoons for grated cheese involves more than a simple mathematical equation. By taking into account the type of cheese, the fineness of grating, and the corresponding density, you can make accurate conversions that will enhance your culinary creations. Remember, when in doubt, it's always better to have extra cheese on hand than too little!
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Nutrition facts labelling
One cup of grated cheese is equivalent to about 8 ounces or 7 tablespoons. The exact quantity of grated cheese by volume will depend on how finely the cheese is grated, as coarsely grated cheese is less dense than finely grated cheese.
When it comes to nutrition facts labelling for cheese, it's important to note that the values may vary slightly depending on the type of cheese and the brand. However, here is a general guide to the nutrition facts labelling for one cup (8 ounces) of grated cheddar cheese:
Calories and Macronutrient Composition:
- Calories: There are approximately 114 calories in one cup of grated cheddar cheese.
- Fat: Fat contributes to about 74% of the total calories, with around 34.6% fat composition.
- Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates make up about 3% of the total calories, amounting to approximately 3.5% of the total composition.
- Protein: Protein accounts for about 23% of the total calories and constitutes roughly 23.7% of the macronutrient composition.
Daily Value (DV):
The % Daily Value (DV) on nutrition labels indicates the contribution of each nutrient in a serving of food to a daily diet. For example, if a nutrient has a %DV of 20%, it means that one serving provides 20% of the recommended daily intake for that specific nutrient. The %DV is typically based on a 2,000-calorie daily diet, which is used for general nutrition advice.
It's worth noting that cheese is considered a good choice for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels due to its low carbohydrate and sugar content relative to its protein and fat content.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 16 tablespoons in one cup, which is equivalent to 237 millilitres or 8 fluid ounces.
Yes, the type of cheese can impact the weight of a cup of grated cheese. For example, a cup of crumbled blue cheese or feta is 4 ounces, while a cup of grated hard cheese like parmesan is 2 ounces.
There are 2 fluid tablespoons in 1 fluid ounce. So, in a cup of parmesan cheese (which is 8 fluid ounces), there would be 16 tablespoons.
