Ingredient hub
Olive oil
Olive oil is liquid gold, but it is lighter than water (1ml does not equal 1g!). Measuring by volume is messy and inaccurate because oil clings to the cup, leading to under-portioning. Weighing is cleaner, faster, and accounts for the specific density (approx 0.915 g/mL), ensuring your dressings and sautés are perfectly balanced.
What is Olive oil?
Olive oil is liquid gold, but it is lighter than water (1ml does not equal 1g!). Measuring by volume is messy and inaccurate because oil clings to the cup, leading to under-portioning. Weighing is cleaner, faster, and accounts for the specific density (approx 0.915 g/mL), ensuring your dressings and sautés are perfectly balanced.
Volume measurements can drift because settling, packing, and texture change the amount of ingredient inside the same spoon or cup. When gram values look surprising, structure is usually the reason rather than an error. Use the same fill method each time and verify by weight.
Chef note:Chef-level consistency starts when one reference cup is matched to a gram baseline.
Quick convert
- US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 tbsp = 14.787 mL
- 1 tsp = 4.929 mL
Kitchen Measurement Poster Bundle
3 coordinated posters: Kitchen, Baking & Spices. Cover every conversion you'll ever need in one set.
FAQ
- Can I fry with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)?
- Yes, but be careful. EVOO has a lower smoke point (~375°F/190°C) than refined oils. It's great for sautéing, but for deep frying at high heat, refined olive oil or vegetable oil is safer and more neutral.
- Why weighs oil instead of using a spoon?
- Viscosity. Oils form a curved surface (meniscus) making eye-level reading hard, and they coat the measuring spoon, meaning you often add less than the recipe calls for. Weight is absolute.