What is a Pinch, Dash or Smidgen?
I’ve been reading a ton of old time cookbooks lately. The community cookbooks are especially interesting in way measurements are defined.
You know what I’m talking about, your grandma or great auntie used these measurements:
Pinch, Dash, Smidgen
Those are kind of tough to translate into modern measuring amounts. I found the neatest little measuring spoons at a local cooking shop that take all the guess work out of it!
These are actually labeled: “Pinch”, “Dash” and “Smidgen”!
I did some digging on the internet though, to find out how those amounts really translate and here’s what I learned:
SMIDGEN – A smidgen holds 1/2 pinch or 1/32 teaspoon. 2 smidgens = 1 pinch
PINCH – A pinch holds 1/2 dash or 1/16 teaspoon. 2 pinches = 1 dash
A pinch has historically been defined as “an amount that can be taken between the thumb and forefinger” but without any definite equivalent in other units of measurement.
DASH – A dash holds 1/8 teaspoon. 8 dashes = 1 teaspoon
A dash was originally considered a liquid measure, a small but indefinite amount. More recently the term has been used as both a liquid and dry measurement.
At least that’s the consensus among most cooking and measuring authorities. There is a little debate about the pinch and dash measures being reversed. However, the manufacturer of my spoons has Dash as the larger sized spoon.
Now, I suppose the truest test will be to make one of those old recipes and see if I have too much salt!
Interested in one of the books pictured above? You can purchase on Amazon here.
I found 6 0f these small spoons about 3 years ago. I think I bought them at bed, bath and beyond or a similar store. I have the same 3 exact spoons and 3 more. They are a Tad at 1/4 t., a Drop at 1/64 t. and a Hint described as a tiny amount or 1/2 drop, 1/128 t.
Ed, that’s an amazingly tiny measurement … a Hint!
How cool that you have the whole set!
I think a trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond is in order – just to see if they still sell these. .. market research, you know …
I am currently in the Philippines and I will return to Texas in March next year. I will let you know if I can find more info on these spoons then. Maybe you are aware of these next three terms. The best definition I could find is included with these terms and they are; 1)”Rounding” is best described as “slightly over specified amount”. 2)”Scant” is best described as “slightly under specified amount”. 3)”Heaping” is best described as “full scoop over specified amount”. None of these terms are an exact amount. I started cooking at the age of 5 in the fifties and I remember all of these terms quite well from my mother and grandmother, including Hint. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May God Bless you and your family always. Ed
Merry Christmas, Ed! I love the descriptions you shared. Thanks so much for following and commenting. Enjoy your trip, Philippines is an amazing place and on my bucket list.
I will stay in touch but probably after the holidays. I recently got married to a woman here in the Philippines so that is why I am here. I hope you can fulfill your bucket list dream by coming here one day. You will love it. Happy holidays.
Congrats on your marriage, Ed!
Wishing you and yours the best holiday season.