Cream, Sour, Cultured: How Many Grams in a Tablespoon?
Cultured sour cream is a thick, spoonable dairy product made by fermenting cream with lactic acid bacteria, typically at 18–20% fat. Its density of 0.972 g/ml falls slightly below water — fat's lower density (about 0.9 g/ml) outweighs the denser milk solids fraction. A cup weighs approximately 230 g; a tablespoon weighs about 14.4 g. Sour cream is scooped rather than poured, and its measurement depends on how firmly it is packed into the cup. Cold sour cream from the refrigerator is firmer and packs more tightly; room-temperature sour cream settles lower. Used as a baking moistener, sauce base, taco topping, and dip ingredient.
Quick convert
- US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 tbsp = 14.787 mL
- 1 tsp = 4.929 mL
Reference table
| tbsp | g |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14 |
| 2 | 29 |
| 3 | 43 |
| 4 | 57 |
| 5 | 72 |
| 6 | 86 |
| 7 | 101 |
| 8 | 115 |
| 9 | 129 |
| 10 | 144 |
| 11 | 158 |
| 12 | 172 |
| 13 | 187 |
| 14 | 201 |
| 15 | 216 |
| 20 | 287 |
| 25 | 359 |
| 30 | 431 |
FAQ
- Why does sour cream weigh less per cup than water?
- At 0.972 g/ml, cultured sour cream is less dense than water because its fat content (about 18–20%) introduces a low-density component. Fat has a density around 0.9 g/ml, which pulls the overall product slightly below 1.0 g/ml despite the heavier milk solids present. This makes sour cream one of the few dairy products lighter than water per unit volume.
- Does packing affect sour cream gram weight?
- Yes, somewhat. Unlike fluids, sour cream is thick enough to trap air when scooped loosely. A cup spooned in without packing may weigh 220–225 g, while a firmly packed cup can reach 235 g. For consistent recipe results, measure by weight (grams) rather than volume.
- How does full-fat sour cream differ from reduced-fat in terms of weight?
- Full-fat sour cream (0.972 g/ml, ~230 g/cup) is actually lighter per cup than reduced-fat sour cream (1.023 g/ml, ~242 g/cup). The reduced-fat version replaces some fat with water, increasing density — so it weighs about 12 g more per cup despite tasting less rich.
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