Convert cups to grams for cornstarch easily.
1 c x 120 = 120 g
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Ever tried making a silky custard or crispy fried chicken, only to end up with a gloopy mess? Chances are, your cornstarch measurements were off. Unlike flour or sugar, cornstarch’s ultra-fine texture makes it notoriously easy to overmeasure when using cups. That’s where grams come in – they don’t care how fluffy or compacted your powder is. Let’s settle this once and for all: precise cornstarch conversions are the secret weapon your recipes need.
Unit definitions
What is a cup (c)?
- Description: A standard US cup measures volume, not weight. Great for liquids, tricky for powders.
- Symbol: c
- Common uses: American recipes, casual baking
- Definition: 1 US cup = 240 milliliters (ml)
What is a gram (g)?
- Description: The metric system’s base unit for mass. A game-changer for baking accuracy.
- Symbol: g
- Common uses: Professional kitchens, European recipes
- Definition: 1 gram = 0.001 kilograms (kg)
Conversion formula
Cornstarch’s density averages 0.5 g/ml. Since 1 US cup = 240 ml:
Grams = Cups × 240 ml × 0.5 g/ml
Simplified:
Grams = Cups × 120
Most recipes round this to 120g per cup, though the exact value is 118.294g. We use 120g for simplicity – that extra 1.7g won’t thicken your sauce any faster!
Example calculations
- 2 cups to grams:
2 × 120 = 240g
(Exact: 2 × 118.294 = 236.588g) - 0.25 cup to grams:
0.25 × 120 = 30g
(Exact: 0.25 × 118.294 = 29.5735g)
Conversion tables
Cups to grams cornstarch
| Cups | Grams (Rounded) | Exact Grams |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 30g | 29.57g |
| 0.5 | 60g | 59.15g |
| 0.75 | 90g | 88.72g |
| 1 | 120g | 118.29g |
| 1.5 | 180g | 177.44g |
| 2 | 240g | 236.59g |
Common grams to cups
| Grams | Cups (Approx) |
|---|---|
| 50g | 0.42 c |
| 100g | 0.83 c |
| 150g | 1.25 c |
| 200g | 1.67 c |
| 250g | 2.08 c |
Historical background
Cornstarch entered kitchens in 1844 when Thomas Kingsford developed it as a laundry starch. By the 1890's, cooks realized its culinary potential for thickening sauces without cloudiness. Measuring cups became standardized in 1896 with Fannie Farmer’s “Boston Cooking-School Cook Book” – though she’d have loved modern scales for her cornstarch pie fillings!
Interesting facts
- Corn vs. Cornstarch: One bushel of corn yields just 1.4 kg of cornstarch.
- Gluten-Free Hero: Cornstarch prevents crumbling in gluten-free baked goods by retaining moisture.
- Density Deception: Cornstarch is 25% less dense than all-purpose flour (120g/cup vs 160g/cup).
- Non-Food Uses: Used in biodegradable plastics and adhesives – don’t try those recipes at home!
- Oobleck Fun: Mix 2 parts cornstarch with 1 water to create a liquid that hardens under pressure.
FAQ
Grams provide precise measurements for consistent results, especially important in baking where cornstarch's lightness can lead to overuse if measured by volume.
Fluff the cornstarch with a spoon, lightly fill the cup, and level it with a straight edge. Avoid packing it down.
Sifting adds air, so 1 sifted cup may weigh slightly less. For accuracy, measure after sifting if the recipe specifies it.
No. A UK cup is 284 ml (vs. 240 ml in US cups). Always check your recipe's origin to avoid measurement errors.
Approximately 60 grams (using the 120g-per-cup standard), but use a kitchen scale for exact amounts.