How would you measure out 100 grams of flour using only a measuring cup if you had no scale, and what technique or approximate conversion would you use to get as close as possible?

Question

No scale but need 100 grams of flour? Learn the approximate conversion and technique you can use with a measuring cup to get as close as possible.

Answer 1

While not perfectly accurate, a generally accepted conversion is that 1 cup of all-purpose flour weighs approximately 120 grams. Therefore, to measure out roughly 100 grams, use slightly less than a full cup, aiming for about 5/6 of a cup.

Detailed Explanation:

Measuring flour accurately without a scale can be tricky, as the density of flour can vary depending on how it's packed into the cup. However, we can use an approximate conversion to get reasonably close. Here's how:

1. Understand the Conversion: The generally accepted conversion is that 1 US cup of all-purpose flour weighs around 120 grams. This is an average, and the actual weight can vary.

2. Calculate the Proportion: Since you need 100 grams, and 1 cup is approximately 120 grams, you need 100/120 of a cup. This simplifies to 5/6 of a cup.

3. Measure Carefully: Use a dry measuring cup. Spoon the flour into the cup lightly, avoiding packing it down. Overfilling the cup and then leveling it off is a common method, but can lead to inconsistencies.

4. Adjust for Accuracy: Aim for slightly less than a full cup. Visualizing 5/6 of a cup can be challenging, so try filling the cup almost to the top, leaving a small gap.

Keep in mind that this method provides an approximation. For recipes that require precise measurements, using a kitchen scale is always recommended.

Pro Tip:

Always 'fluff' your flour before measuring. Stir the flour in its container to loosen it up. This helps prevent the flour from being too compacted when you spoon it into the measuring cup, leading to a more accurate measurement. Avoid scooping directly from the flour container, as this compacts the flour.