Book 3, Question 137
Why Do Bakers Weigh Instead of Just Scoop?
A scoop measures space, but a scale measures mass. Flour packed tight in a cup is more flour than fluffy flour. So weighing keeps a recipe honest!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 3
More fun facts
- A little too much flour can turn a good bake into a not so good one.
- Measuring flour with cups is very inconsistent, because it depends on how tightly the flour is packed.
- A packed cup of all purpose flour can hold up to 160 grams, while a fluffed, scooped and leveled cup holds about 120 grams.
- Dipping a cup straight into the flour bin can add up to 25 percent more flour than the recipe means.
- A good kitchen scale is accurate to about 1 gram, which is about 0.04 of an ounce.
- Pressing the tare button sets the scale back to zero, so you can weigh ingredients right in the bowl.
Sources: kingarthurbaking.com, kingarthurbaking.com
Questions kids ask
How much does a cup of flour weigh?
It depends on how you fill it. A packed cup can be up to 160 grams, while a fluffed and leveled cup is about 120 grams.