Appendix
Measures and Weights
A few tables of measures may be helpful here because accurate measurements are necessary to insure success in the preparation of any article of food.
All dry ingredients, such as flour, meal, powdered sugar, etc., should be sifted before measuring.
The standard measuring cup contains one-half pint and is divided into fourths and thirds.
To measure a cupful or spoonful of dry ingredients, fill the cup or spoon and then level off with the back of a case-knife.
In measures of weight the gram is the unit.
A “heaping cupful” is a level cup with two tablespoonfuls added.
A “scant cupful” is a level cup with two tablespoonfuls taken out.
A “saltspoon” is one-fourth of a level teaspoon.
To measure butter, lard, and other solid foods, pack solidly in spoon or cup and level with a knife.
| TABLE OF MEASURES AND WEIGHTS21 | |
| 4 saltspoons | = 1 teaspoon, tsp. |
| 3 teaspoons | = 1 tablespoon, tbsp. |
| 4 tablespoons | = 1/4 cup or 1/2 gill. |
| 16 tablespoons (dry ingredients) | = 1 cup, c. |
| 12 tablespoons (liquid) | = 1 cup. |
| 2 gills | = 1 cup. |
| 2 cups | = 1 pint. |
| 2 pints | = 1 quart. |
| 4 quarts | = 1 gallon. |
| 2 tablespoons butter | = 1 ounce. |
| 1 tablespoon melted butter | = 1 ounce. |
| 4 tablespoons flour | = 1 ounce. |
| 2 tablespoons granulated sugar | = 1 ounce. |
| 2 tablespoons liquid | = 1 ounce. |
| 2 tablespoons powdered lime | = 1 ounce. |
| 1 cup of stale bread crumbs | = 2 ounces. |
| 1 square Baker’s unsweetened chocolate | = 1 ounce. |
| Juice of one lemon | = (about) 3 tablespoons. |
| 5 tablespoons liquid | = 1 wineglassful. |
| 4 cups of sifted flour | = 1 pound. |
| 2 cups of butter (packed solidly) | = 1 pound. |
| 2 cups of finely chopped meat (packed solidly) | = 1 pound. |
| 2 cups of granulated sugar | = 1 pound. |
| 22/5 cups of powdered sugar | = 1 pound. |
| 22/3 cups brown sugar | = 1 pound. |
| 22/3 cups oatmeal | = 1 pound. |
| 43/4 cups rolled oats | = 1 pound. |
| 9 or 10 eggs | = 1 pound. |
| 1 cup of rice | = 1/2 pound. |
| APOTHECARIES’ WEIGHTS22 | |
| 20 grains | = 1 scruple, ℈ |
| 3 scruples | = 1 drachm, ʒ |
| 8 drachms (or 480 grains) | = 1 ounce, ℥ |
| 12 ounces | = 1 pound, lb. |
| APOTHECARIES’ MEASURES22 | |
| 60 minims (M) | = 1 fluid drachm, fʒ |
| 8 fluid drachms | = 1 fluid ounce, f℥ |
| 16 fluid ounces | = 1 pint, o or pt. |
| 2 pints | = 1 quart, qt. |
| 4 quarts | = 1 gallon, gal. |
| APPROXIMATE MEASURES23 | |
| One teaspoonful | equals about 1 fluid drachm. |
| One dessertspoonful | equals about 2 fluid drachms. |
| One tablespoonful | equals about 4 fluid drachms. |
| One wineglassful | equals about 2 ounces. |
| One cup (one-half pint) | equals about 8 ounces. |
| METRIC MEASURES OF WEIGHT23 | |
| In measures of weight the gram is the unit. | |
| 1 gram | 1.0 gm. |
| 1 decigram | 0.1 gm. |
| 1 centigram | 0.01 gm. |
| 1 milligram | 0.001 gm. |
Footnotes
21 Practical Dietetics, Alida Frances Pattee.
22 Practical Dietetics, Alida Frances Pattee.
23 Practical Dietetics, Alida Frances Pattee.