Convert UK dessertspoons to milliliters easily.
1 dstspn x 7.103 = 7.103 ml
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Ever tried making a British pudding or cake only to find the recipe calls for dessertspoons, while your measuring tools show milliliters? You’re not alone. This quirky imperial unit still pops up in everything from Mrs Beeton’s vintage recipes to modern UK cookbooks. Let’s break down how to bridge the gap between traditional British measurements and the metric system most kitchens use today.
Unit definitions
What is a UK dessertspoon (dstspn)?
A UK dessertspoon is a unit of volume primarily used in British cooking.
Symbol: dstspn
Common uses: Measuring liquid ingredients, syrups, or powders in traditional recipes
Definition: 1 UK dessertspoon equals exactly 7.103 milliliters (derived from the imperial fluid ounce system)
What is a milliliter (ml)?
A milliliter is a metric unit of volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter.
Symbol: ml
Common uses: Universal measurement for liquids in science, medicine, and most international recipes
Definition: 1 ml occupies the same volume as 1 cubic centimeter (cm³)
Conversion formula
The straightforward conversion between these units is:
1 UK dessertspoon = 7.103 milliliters
To convert dessertspoons to ml: ml = dstspn × 7.103
To convert ml to dessertspoons: dstspn = ml ÷ 7.103
Example calculations
- Converting 3 dessertspoons of vanilla extract to ml:
3 dstspn × 7.103 = 21.309 ml → rounds to 21.31 ml - A European recipe requires 50 ml of lemon juice. How many UK dessertspoons is that?
50 ml ÷ 7.103 ≈ 7.04 dstspn → about 7 dessertspoons
Conversion tables
UK dessertspoons to milliliters
| Dessertspoons | Milliliters |
|---|---|
| 1 | 7.10 |
| 2 | 14.21 |
| 3 | 21.31 |
| 4 | 28.41 |
| 5 | 35.52 |
| 6 | 42.62 |
| 7 | 49.72 |
| 8 | 56.82 |
| 9 | 63.93 |
| 10 | 71.03 |
Milliliters to UK dessertspoons
| Milliliters | Dessertspoons |
|---|---|
| 10 | 1.41 |
| 20 | 2.82 |
| 30 | 4.22 |
| 40 | 5.63 |
| 50 | 7.04 |
| 60 | 8.45 |
| 70 | 9.86 |
| 80 | 11.27 |
| 90 | 12.67 |
| 100 | 14.08 |
Historical background
The dessertspoon’s story begins with medieval English cutlery sets, where it sat between the teaspoon and tablespoon in size. When the imperial system was standardized in 1824, dessertspoons became officially defined as ½ fluid ounce (14.206 ml). That changed in 1896, when UK cutlery sizes were adjusted, creating the 7.103 ml dessertspoon we know today.
Metrication efforts in the 1960s saw milliliters gradually replace dessertspoons in official contexts, but the unit persists in culinary traditions. It’s fascinating how a simple spoon reflects Britain’s transition from empire to metric modernity. Some cookbook authors argue the dessertspoon offers a “Goldilocks” measurement. Not too big, not too small—for certain ingredients like spices or extracts.
Interesting facts...
- Royal endorsement: Queen Victoria’s chef reportedly preferred dessertspoons for measuring port wine in sauces
- Baking quirk: A UK dessertspoon of flour weighs about 4.2 grams, while the same volume of sugar is 8.5 grams
- Medical crossover: 19th-century British doctors used dessertspoons, to dose cough syrups (5 dstspn = 1 fluid ounce)
- Spoon hierarchy: Traditional British place settings position the dessertspoon above the dinner plate, between knife and glass
- Global cousins: Australia uses 10 ml dessertspoons, creating potential confusion with UK recipes
FAQ
No, UK dessertspoons hold 7.1 ml while US ones are about 9.85 ml. Always check the recipe’s origin.
If you don’t have dedicated measuring spoons, use a tablespoon but fill it only halfway for approximate results.
Tradition plays a role, though many modern UK recipes now include metric equivalents alongside imperial units.
For most home baking, the 7.1 ml standard works well. Professional bakers might prefer digital scales for accuracy.
Yes, in both UK and US systems, one dessertspoon equals two teaspoons by volume.