# Are Our American Culinary Measuring Spoons Really Not Metric? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 24, 2023, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983 "2023-10-24T01:06:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/101 "2023-10-27T16:19:45Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > ordering lights for their reef aquariums Hah! When I purchased a 600W HPS, a 400W HPS and a 250W MH I made my purchases using cash. I parked 8 blocks away from the Hydroponic store and made three trips with my purchases to my vehicle, walking different routes each trip. I then drove 90 minutes back to my home, one eye on the rear-view mirror the whole trip. Yeah, I get ya. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/102 "2023-10-27T16:21:54Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > My recipe books I _don’t_ consider modern say things like > > > Take Venyson or Bef, & leche & gredyl it vp broun; then take Vynegre & a litel verious, & a lytil Wyne, and putte pouder perpir ther-on y-now, and pouder Gyngere; and atte the dressoure straw on pouder Canelle y-now, that the stekys be al y-helid ther-wyth, and but a litel; Sawce & then serue it forth. > > and assumes you just _know_ how _much_ Canelle is y-now \*. ETA - like a Greek grandma. My favorite instruction will always be “smite it to gobbets”. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/103 "2023-10-27T16:53:21Z")
Dozens, 10s and half dozens here. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/104 "2023-10-27T16:54:40Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > I had to google what a “caper” is, They are the flavour ingredient in tartar sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/105 "2023-10-27T17:01:37Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > > [@Pleonast](#): > > > > I had to google what a “caper” is, > > They are the flavour ingredient in tartar sauce.   Interesting, but not the way I make it: sweet pickle relish, mayo, a little ketchup and mustard for color and zing. To bring back to the thread’s topic, I don’t measure any of those ingredients, but just go by taste and look. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/106 "2023-10-27T17:03:49Z")
Not really in the US. I first discovered capers in tartar sauce as a 20-yr-old working at a restaurant in western Scotland. Not super common to see it here. I don’t think any commercial tartar sauces I know use it. I have very occasionally seen it in house made sauces in restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/107 "2023-10-27T17:14:17Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I don’t think any commercial tartar sauces I know use it Coleman’s do: > Colman’s Tartare Sauce is the pairing of choice to the classic British fish and chips as we believe local tastes better and provides a full-on British flavour experience > > A creamy style sauce with gherkins and capers crafted in Britain and made with Norwich grown parsley > > This sauce from the UK’s no.1 condiment brand is ready to use ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/108 "2023-10-27T18:24:55Z")
I should have specified domestic. I’ll keep an eye out for it. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/109 "2023-10-27T18:43:42Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I took all the opened jars of capers, roasted peppers, pepper rings, olives, lone pickles, other whatnot and chopped them up to make a very nice relish. That’s a great idea! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/110 "2023-10-27T21:06:59Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Of course, the difference is so small as to be virtually impossible to measure — unless you are making hundreds of thousands of them. In which case, it’s still so small as to be virtually impossible to measure. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/111 "2023-10-28T01:13:02Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > This is true of measuring cups. But I’ve never seen a recipe that advised 1 gram of baking powder. In Japan, they usually use teaspoon and tablespoon and fractions thereof. 1tsp＝小さじ1杯 1tbsp＝大さじ1杯 but I have seen it given in grams as well in parentheses ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/112 "2023-10-28T04:39:10Z")
Huh. I buy the quart jars at Costco. Never had 'em go bad, nor do I refrigerate them. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/113 "2023-10-28T11:44:26Z")
Perhaps you eat more capers than some of the other posters in this thread. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/114 "2023-10-28T13:11:25Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’ve never seen those, and it seems wasteful to buy a lot of extra packaging just to avoid dipping a spoon in a box of baking powder. There was no choice in the matter. For the first 10-15 years here, that was the **only** way to buy baking powder and baking soda. The local English language forum is full of people asking where to buy a box of baking powder or baking soda. I still buy yeast by the envelope (similar to Red Star) or cube (fresh), but I buy baking powder and baking soda in larger quantities. I still come across recipes which call for a packet of baking powder, so I do have some packets as well, for convenience. > [@TokyoBayer](#): > > How are they sold in other metric countries? We can buy fresh eggs in quantities of 4, 6, 10 or 12 at the grocery store. At the farm (10 minutes walk) we can just buy 1 egg, if we so desired, or 3, or how ever many we want, as long as the hens are laying enough. And if the eggs are hard-boiled, it’s possible to just buy two. Our flour is also sold in 1 kg bags. As we are ramping up for Christmas, there is a deal to buy 10 1-kg bags for 40% off. In a few weeks, there will be a deal for 4 1-kg bags for 20% off, or something like that. My tartar sauce only has pickles, not capers, and my jar of capers is 150 g, of which 90 g is actually capers. It’ll last me about 6-8 months, depending on how often I make chicken piccata. ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/115 "2023-10-28T14:35:02Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Perhaps you eat more capers than some of the other posters in this thread. 😉 Well, clearly. My point was that I don’t think they need refrigeration. They’re, like, very pickled. A jar lasts me most of a year. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/116 "2023-10-28T14:36:51Z")
I keep all kinds of things that don’t need refrigeration in the fridge. Most of the “rarely used condiments” are together there. 🤷‍♀️ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/117 "2023-10-28T14:40:15Z")
Yeah, most things that Americans keep in the fridge don’t actually need to be there. It’s just a convenient place to store them. At least, if you have a big American-style fridge. ---
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/118 "2023-10-28T14:40:34Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Anyone else use your hand, like I do? I can put some salt/sugar/paprika/whatever into my hand and eyeball pretty accurately a teaspoon/tablespoon/fraction of either. Justin Wilson, the venerated Cajun chef, taught me that! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/119 "2023-10-28T14:45:00Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Anyone else use your hand, like I do? I can put some salt/sugar/paprika/whatever into my hand and eyeball pretty accurately a teaspoon/tablespoon/fraction of either. No, I’m in the habit of using spoons. But if i didn’t have measuring spoons, i suspect I’d be pretty accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983/120 "2023-10-28T14:58:56Z")
I just cooked a pot of pasta & bean soup, which calls for chicken broth. The powdered bouillon that I use calls for a heaped spoonful (approximately 11 g) of powder for 5dl of water. I’m not sure if the company expects someone to be able to measure 11 g, or that is what they measured for the purpose of the nutrition label. Bouillon also comes in cubes, so that’s another way to avoid measuring spoons here. I just find the powder more convenient, instead of having to break up bouillon cubes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-american-culinary-measuring-spoons-really-not-metric/991983.md?page=7)