Masa Harina
Masa harina is nixtamalized corn flour with a density of 0.48 g/mL — lime-treated dried corn ground to a fine flour. Because nixtamalization changes the starch structure, masa harina absorbs water differently than regular corn flour. A 1/4 cup difference in masa harina can mean the difference between tamales that hold together and ones that fall apart. Gram measurement is essential.
Essential for tortillas, tamales, pupusas, arepas, and pozole. Cannot be substituted with regular cornmeal or cornstarch.
What is Masa Harina?
Masa harina is nixtamalized corn flour with a density of 0.48 g/mL — lime-treated dried corn ground to a fine flour. Because nixtamalization changes the starch structure, masa harina absorbs water differently than regular corn flour. A 1/4 cup difference in masa harina can mean the difference between tamales that hold together and ones that fall apart. Gram measurement is essential.
Quick convert
- US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 tbsp = 14.787 mL
- 1 tsp = 4.929 mL
Masa Harina — Cup → g
| Cups | g |
|---|---|
| 1/8 cup | 12 |
| 1/4 cup | 23 |
| 1/3 cup | 31 |
| 1/2 cup | 46 |
| 2/3 cup | 62 |
| 3/4 cup | 70 |
| 1 cup | 93 |
| 1 1/2 cups | 139 |
| 2 cups | 186 |
Masa Harina — Tbsp → g
| Tbsp | g |
|---|---|
| 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 12 |
| 3 | 17 |
| 4 | 23 |
| 5 | 29 |
| 6 | 35 |
| 7 | 41 |
| 8 | 47 |
| 9 | 52 |
| 10 | 58 |
| 11 | 64 |
| 12 | 70 |
| 13 | 76 |
| 14 | 81 |
| 15 | 87 |
| 20 | 116 |
| 25 | 145 |
| 30 | 174 |
Masa Harina — g → Cups
| g | Cups |
|---|---|
| 50 | 0.5 |
| 100 | 1.1 |
| 150 | 1.6 |
| 200 | 2.2 |
| 250 | 2.7 |
| 300 | 3.2 |
| 350 | 3.8 |
| 400 | 4.3 |
| 450 | 4.8 |
| 500 | 5.4 |
| 600 | 6.5 |
| 700 | 7.5 |
| 800 | 8.6 |
| 900 | 9.7 |
| 1000 | 10.8 |
Masa Harina — mL → g
| mL | g |
|---|---|
| 10 | 4 |
| 25 | 10 |
| 50 | 20 |
| 75 | 29 |
| 100 | 39 |
| 125 | 49 |
| 150 | 59 |
| 200 | 79 |
| 250 | 98 |
| 500 | 197 |
| 750 | 295 |
| 1000 | 393 |
Masa Harina — Tsp → g
| Tsp | g |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 8 |
| 5 | 10 |
| 6 | 12 |
| 7 | 14 |
| 8 | 16 |
| 9 | 17 |
| 10 | 19 |
| 11 | 21 |
| 12 | 23 |
| 13 | 25 |
| 14 | 27 |
| 15 | 29 |
| 20 | 39 |
| 25 | 48 |
| 30 | 58 |
Masa Harina — oz → g
| oz | g |
|---|---|
| 1 | 28 |
| 2 | 57 |
| 3 | 85 |
| 4 | 113 |
| 5 | 142 |
| 8 | 227 |
| 10 | 283 |
| 12 | 340 |
| 15 | 425 |
| 20 | 567 |
| 25 | 709 |
| 30 | 850 |
| 40 | 1134 |
| 50 | 1417 |
Baking Conversion Chart
Exact cup-to-gram weights for flour, sugar, cocoa, and every baking ingredient. Print it, stick it up, bake with precision.
How to measure flours
Flours swing wildly in weight by volume (a cup can jump from 120g to 150g). Protein and gluten strength also change from brand to brand. Weighing is the only way to keep hydration and texture consistent for bread, pizza, cakes, and pasta.
- Spoon and level for loose; packed cups weigh more—use the packed toggle when available.
- For bread and pizza doughs, aim for consistency: measure by weight when possible.
Protein & gluten in flour
Masa Harina sits around 6% protein.
Storage & tools
- Store in a cool, dry pantry (under 21 °C / 70 °F) away from direct sunlight.
- Use airtight containers to keep humidity out — dry ingredients gain 1–2 % mass in humid air.
- Rotate stock: first in, first out, even when the product looks unchanged.
- Check best-by dates; potency can fade before the product looks old.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year. Once opened, best used within 6 months.
FAQ
- Can I use regular cornmeal instead of masa harina?
- No. Regular cornmeal is not nixtamalized and lacks the specific starch structure that makes tortillas pliable. Masa harina is the only substitute for masa harina.
- Is masa harina the same as corn flour?
- No. Corn flour is raw, finely ground corn. Masa harina is made from corn that has been nixtamalized — treated with an alkaline solution — which fundamentally changes its protein and starch structure.