Food Measurements And Conversions

It is very hard not to measure when one does not know what the finished recipe tastes like and therefore it is important to get to know the recipe by following the directions , measurements and methods so that you achieve the results desired by the author of the recipe. Then go ahead and make as many changes thereafter and adjust it to your taste buds.
How to measure? To measure dry ingredients like flour, sugar etc. spoon the ingredient lightly into a cup and then level with a straight edged knife. For solid fats like butter, spoon into cup and pack down firmly with a spoon. For ingredients such as shredded cheese, grated coconut chopped nuts, spoon into cup and pack down lightly.
For thin liquids like milk, pour into a spoon until full.
For thick liquids and dry ingredients pour or scoop into a spoon until full and then level with a straight edged spatula or a knife

Common Abbreviations Used in Cookbooks

tsp. (t)-teaspoon

Tbs. (T)- tablespoon
C- cup
oz- ounce
pt-pint
lb-pound
qt-quart
Measuring Dry Ingredients:

3 teaspoons-1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons-1/8 cup
4 tablespoons-1/4cup
5 1/3 tablespoons-1/3 cup
8 tablespoons-1/2cup
12 tablespoons-3/4cup
32 tablespoons-2cup
64 tablespoons-4cup

EQUIVALENT MEASURES

1 pinch-1/8 tsp or less
1-1/2 tsp-1/2 Tbsp
3 tsp-1 Tbsp
1/6 cup-2 Tbsp + 2 tsp

1/4 cup-4 Tbsp
1/3 cup-5 Tbsp + 1 tsp
3/8 cup-6 Tbsp

1/2 cup-8 Tbsp

2/3 cup-10 Tbsp + 2 tsp

3/4 cup-12 Tbsp

1 cup-16 Tbsp

Quick Conversions:

Pinch or dash = less than 1/8 teaspoon

3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon

2 tablespoons = 1 fluid oz.

4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup = 2 ounces
6 tablespoons = 3/4 cup
5 1/8 tablespoons = 1/3 cup
8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup
16 tablespoons = 1 cup
1 cup = 8 fluid oz.
2 cups = 1 pint
4 cups = 2 pints = 1 quart
4 quarts = 1 gallon
2 cups liquid = 16 oz. = 1 pound
Measuring Liquids

¼ teaspoon = 1.25 ml

½ teaspoon = 2.5 ml

1 teaspoon = 5 ml

1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = 15 ml

¼ cup = 50 ml

1/3 cup = 80 ml

½ cup = 100 ml

¾ cup = 150 ml

1 cup = 200 ml

Miscellaneous:

1 stick of butter = 4 oz,

1/2 US cup, about 114 grams,

1/4 pound, 8 Tbs
1 oz cheese (grated) = 4 level tablespoons
1 oz cocoa or chocolate powder = 3 level tablespoons
1 oz coconut (desiccated) = 4 level tablespoons
1 oz flour (unsifted) = 3 level tablespoons
1 oz sugar (castor/caster) = 2 level tablespoons
1 oz sugar (granulated) = 2 level tablespoons
1 oz sugar (icing) = 2 1/2 level tablespoons
1 oz syrup (golden) = 1 level tablespoon