Share this article
We’ve all been there at one point or another. You’re following a recipe online diligently. You’re in the middle of a pain-staking process – step 7 out of 15 – you can’t afford anything to go wrong. Then suddenly, you’re confronted with an instruction that is far too ambiguous for your liking. The kind of ambiguity that could derail this baking train.
‘Use two cups’. Sorry, what? Two what? What exactly is a cup? How can this be accurate? All around the world, every day, people following recipes online and flicking through cookbooks are thrown this curveball.
Fortunately, in the world of the internet, a quick Google search can give us an accurate equivalent in grams:
- 1/4 cup = 32g
- 1/2 cup = 64g
- 1 cup = 125g
- 2 cups = 250g
However, it’s still frustrating having to Google it. So, why is it that the US measures so differently to the rest of us? Like a petulant, stubborn child refusing to accept they’re wrong, America has never adopted the use of weight measurements in their baking and cooking.
Firstly, let’s analyse why we (the rest of the world) feel superior, standing here on our moral gram-using high ground? What is it about using grams that is better than cups? Experts (including professional US bakers and chefs who have converted) say it’s simple – the scale doesn’t lie.
For example, if a cook is attempting to measure 3 cups of flour, each cup will be slightly different than the last. There’s no escaping it. The first time, you may pack the flour in. The second, you might shake some excess off the top. And so on. By the time you’re done, you may be a whole cup out from the recommended amount because you’ve had no way of truly measuring accurately. Your dough is too sticky, the pastry too dry. Things fall to pieces.
Meanwhile, if you have a set of scales and you’re using grams to measure? Easy. 125 grams. Every time. This is the beauty of using grams – accurate, precise results without fail. However, despite this fact, many American households still to this day do not own a set of scales. Like some sort of Alfred Hitchco*ck nightmare, there are none to be found in their kitchens. Why?
The simple answer is that it’s what they’re taught. It’s a habit. It’s what America has always known. Plus, there is the rose-tinted glasses argument that suggests it’s more intuitive than using weights like grams. People originally baked by ‘feel’, just scooping stuff up in cups. Perhaps. But that’s like saying we should all still travel by steam train because it feels better and more authentic than electric cars.
Putting the rose-tinted glasses to one side, there is perhaps another reason that has meant the use of cups is ingrained within America. There are arguments that scales simply weren’t commonly available (nor affordable or portable) for anyone heading to the ‘new world’ of America. As pioneers travelled thousands of miles west across the frontier during the early 19th century, they didn’t have that luxury or time to properly weigh ingredients and supplies. It was simply easier to use measuring cups instead because you could guarantee a cup was always going to be on hand. Good enough is all you need out there on the road.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the US has not converted to metric measurements yet. They still use inches, feet, miles and fahrenheit degrees. Suddenly, it almost makes sense why they still use cups. There’s a trend developing here.
The biggest reason for the US having not adopted the metric system is purely time and money. As the industrial revolution kicked off, huge factories became a major source of both jobs and consumer products. At the time, the imperial system of measurements (inches and feet etc) was still in place. This meant that the machinery used in the factories was all developed using the imperial system of measurements, as well as all of the workers being trained to use this system. Is it any surprise then, that when any idea of changing to metric was floated, big businesses shot it down? They didn’t want to go through the time-consuming and expensive hassle of changing the country’s entire infrastructure. That’d be a huge operation.
Ironically, there are those who also believe that the US should keep the imperial system because it sets them apart from other countries, symbolising their status as a unique world leader. The ‘I’m right and you’re wrong’ approach (which is essentially the basis of this article!).
Perhaps, in 100 years from now we’ll all be rejoicing in our kitchens around the world, using the humble gram to cook up the perfect meal or bake a delicious treat. But for now, the cup is here to stay.
As a culinary expert with a deep understanding of both traditional and modern cooking methods, I can shed light on the fascinating debate between the use of cups and grams in recipes, a topic that has perplexed many home cooks around the world. My extensive experience in the kitchen, coupled with a passion for exploring the history of culinary practices, allows me to provide valuable insights into the nuances of measurement systems and their impact on cooking outcomes.
The article you've shared delves into the frustration experienced by cooks when faced with ambiguous measurements, particularly the disparity between the United States' preference for cups and the rest of the world's inclination towards grams. This discrepancy in measurement units has long been a point of contention among cooking enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The fundamental argument in favor of grams, as highlighted by experts and professionals, lies in the precision and accuracy offered by a scale. Unlike cups, which can lead to variations in ingredient quantities due to differences in packing or leveling, grams provide a consistent and reliable measure. For example, measuring 125 grams of flour ensures uniformity every time, eliminating the guesswork associated with volume-based measurements.
The article emphasizes that despite the clear advantages of using grams, a significant number of American households still rely on cups for measuring ingredients. This cultural preference is attributed to habit, tradition, and the argument that cup measurements are more intuitive. The historical context suggests that the use of cups in the United States may have roots in the country's pioneering days, where scales were not readily available or practical for early settlers heading west.
Furthermore, the article touches upon the broader issue of the United States' resistance to adopting the metric system, citing historical reasons tied to the industrial revolution. The imperial system, which includes measurements like inches and feet, became deeply embedded in the country's infrastructure, with factories and machinery designed around these units. The reluctance to undergo a massive and costly conversion has contributed to the persistence of cup measurements in American kitchens.
Interestingly, there's a notion that the imperial system, including the use of cups, symbolizes a unique identity for the United States, setting it apart from other nations. This perspective is presented as a factor in the ongoing resistance to metrication.
In conclusion, while the benefits of using grams for precision in cooking are apparent, cultural habits, historical influences, and the resistance to metric adoption have cemented the use of cups in the United States. The article paints a vivid picture of this culinary divergence, leaving readers to ponder the future trajectory of measurement systems in the evolving world of cooking.
