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Spices, Mustard Seed, Ground
Ground mustard seed is a fine, dry powder with a remarkably low density of 0.406 g/ml, meaning one US cup weighs only about 96 grams and a tablespoon just 6 grams. Because the milled seeds trap a large amount of air between particles, ground mustard occupies far more volume per gram than liquid condiments, and it is used in dry rubs, homemade mustard preparations, salad dressings, and spice blends for its sharp, pungent heat.
What is Spices, Mustard Seed, Ground?
Ground mustard seed is a fine, dry powder with a remarkably low density of 0.406 g/ml, meaning one US cup weighs only about 96 grams and a tablespoon just 6 grams. Because the milled seeds trap a large amount of air between particles, ground mustard occupies far more volume per gram than liquid condiments, and it is used in dry rubs, homemade mustard preparations, salad dressings, and spice blends for its sharp, pungent heat.
Seed-based ingredients usually settle more compactly than leafy versions, so equal spoons can carry noticeably different grams. Do not swap seed and leaf forms one-for-one without adjusting flavor intensity. Weighing is the safest way to keep consistency between batches.
Chef note:Professional bakers standardize one scoop style per recipe and trust grams for repeatability.
Quick convert
- US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 tbsp = 14.787 mL
- 1 tsp = 4.929 mL
Kitchen Conversion Chart
Cups, tbsp, tsp, mL and oz — all in one printable reference for oils, liquids, dairy and sauces.
Condiments
Viscous condiments like ketchup, BBQ sauce, or dips tend to cling stubbornly to measuring cups. This leads to waste and messy cleanup. Weighing directly into your dish or pan is the professional, clean, and accurate method.
FAQ
- Why is ground mustard powder so light per cup compared to liquid mustard?
- At only 0.406 g/ml, ground mustard seed is a dry powder full of air gaps between particles, so a cup weighs just 96 grams, while prepared liquid mustard is over twice as dense because the powder has been hydrated and compacted.
- How much does a tablespoon of ground mustard seed weigh?
- One tablespoon (about 14.8 ml) of ground mustard weighs approximately 6 grams at 0.406 g/ml, which is less than half the weight of a tablespoon of water and reflects the airy nature of finely milled dry spices.
- Should I measure ground mustard by weight or volume for accuracy?
- Weight is far more reliable because ground mustard's 0.406 g/ml density varies significantly with how tightly the powder is packed or sifted, and a loosely scooped cup can weigh noticeably less than a firmly tapped one.