Margarine-Like, Vegetable Oil Spread, Fat-Free, Tub: How Many Grams in a Tablespoon?
Fat-free tub margarine is a soft, scoopable vegetable oil spread with a density of 0.985 g/ml, just under water. One US cup weighs approximately 233 g and one tablespoon about 14.6 g. Unlike its liquid counterpart, the tub form has been whipped or aerated to hold a semi-solid shape without any fat, relying instead on gums, starches, and emulsifiers for body. The slight aeration explains why its density falls below 1.0 g/ml despite being largely water-based. This product is designed for spreading on toast or topping steamed vegetables where a butter-like experience is desired with minimal calories, but it is unsuitable for any baking application that depends on fat for structure or flavor development.
Quick convert
- US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 tbsp = 14.787 mL
- 1 tsp = 4.929 mL
Reference table
| tbsp | g |
|---|---|
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 29 |
| 3 | 44 |
| 4 | 58 |
| 5 | 73 |
FAQ
- Why is the density of fat-free tub margarine (0.985 g/ml) lower than the liquid version (1.014 g/ml)?
- The tub version is lightly whipped or aerated to give it a spreadable, semi-solid consistency. This incorporated air reduces the overall density below that of water. The liquid version has no trapped air and contains slightly more dissolved solids, which pushes its density above 1.0 g/ml. The difference translates to about 7 g less per cup for the tub form.
- Is fat-free tub margarine the same nutritionally as fat-free liquid margarine?
- They are similar in calorie content since both contain negligible fat, but the tub version typically contains more thickening agents (modified starch, cellulose gel) to maintain its semi-solid texture. The liquid version relies more on gums and has a thinner consistency. Sodium content varies by brand, so check labels if salt intake is a concern.