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Cup

VolumeUS Customarycup

Definition and History

The cup is a unit of volume commonly used in cooking, equal to approximately 240 milliliters or 16 tablespoons. It is a standard measurement in recipes and is used for measuring both liquid and dry ingredients.

The cup was originally based on the volume of a standard drinking cup. It has become a standardized unit for measuring medium to large amounts of ingredients in cooking and baking.

The cup is approximately equal to 8 fluid ounces in the US customary system, making it a convenient unit for measuring medium quantities of liquids and dry ingredients.

Usage and Applications

Cups are extensively used in cooking and baking for measuring medium to large amounts of ingredients like flour, sugar, milk, and water. They are essential for precise recipe measurements.

In beverage preparation, cups are used for measuring serving sizes of drinks like coffee, tea, and other beverages. They provide a practical unit for portion control.

Scientific and Engineering Applications

In laboratory settings, cups are sometimes used for measuring medium quantities of chemicals and reagents in chemistry experiments and research.

In food science and nutrition, cups are used for measuring serving sizes and nutritional content calculations in dietary analysis and food labeling.

International Standards

The cup is officially defined as exactly 240 milliliters in the US customary system. It is equivalent to 16 tablespoons and provides consistency in cooking and baking measurements.

The cup is widely recognized and used in many countries for cooking and baking applications, ensuring consistency in recipe measurements and portion control.

Did You Know?

The cup is the most confusing cooking unit! A US cup is 237 ml, while a metric cup is exactly 250 ml. This 13ml difference can ruin recipes! The US cup was based on the British imperial cup, but they redefined it in 1824. This is why international recipes often fail - the cup sizes are different!

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