What exactly defines a “cup” of coffee? The amount of ground coffee or the amount of water used to brew?
Posted by scottparat on 12 Sep 2009 | Tagged as: Coffee Questions
I enjoy three to four cups of coffee throughout the morning but I have wondered if my "cups" of coffee are equivalent to whatever is the standard in research. I usually measure three or four cups of ground coffee into my drip coffee maker then add six cups of water to run through it to make my coffee. Is it a "cup" of coffee by volume of liquid or by concentration of coffee beans?
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18 Comments »
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 1.jeni said …
OK you said you measure 3-4 CUPS of coffee in your drip coffee maker…I think you mean spoons?? ANyhow, a cup of coffee is measured by 6oz serving. So if you are truly having 3-4 cups then you are having between 18oz-24oz per day.
The reality is that most mugs are more then an 6oz serving. Measure the mugs that you use and you will get a better determination as to how much coffee you consume. I was asked to clarify this with my doctor and found that my "2 cups" a day eally equalled closer to 4 cups.
Another rule of thumb: You know the silly measurements on the coffee maker? Well that 4 cup marker and the 8 cup marker are serving sizes…most people drink close to 2 cups in one serving, then go back for a "second cup" and drink up to closer to the 6-8 marker on the carafe.
I hope this helps. Cups of coffee is determined by the volume consumed. Traditionally 2 tablespoons of ground coffee is used to filter one serving (or 6oz) of coffee. Obviously, thre are stronger roasts etc…research is usually using a medium bodied roast in their studies.
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 2.Lady Feather said …
I’ve always thought of ONE CUP as being the mixture of the coffee and added water that fills an 8 oz cup
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 3.Creola said …
The water
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 4.famehunter? said …
the amount of coffee. In some cultures the cups are really tiny but strong. I would still consider that a full dose of coffee
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 5.Steelers86 said …
A "cup" of coffee is just that, 8 fluid ounces (cup) of water
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 6.belle said …
A "cup" of coffee is 6 oz. brewed, prepared as directed.
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 7.A S said …
a cup is 8oz but the coffe companies say six on the coffee package. I don’t know why.
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 8.supastremph said …
A cup is a cup–a standard unit of volume.
When referring to a cup of coffee, it is the liquid coffee, otherwise you would more likely express the commodity in pounds.
A cup of coffee has on the order of 1 to 2 tablespoons worth of ground coffee in it, although this varies as widely as the different chemical properties, e.g. caffeine, etc. of the coffee itself.
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 9.Lou said …
both coffee and water brewed and served in a cup about 8 oz. try cookies with that coffee.
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 10.nicki v said …
a cup of coffee in terms of "two cups or three cups a morning" is each 8 ounce coffee mug’s worth of coffee. Take into account if you buy coffee. For example a medium or grande at most coffee shops is 16 oz, which is two of your home cups, a large (24 oz.) is 3 and even a small (12 oz) is larger than one home "cup"
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 11.yekimbro said …
It’s a cup of coffee by volume of liquid. A "cup" is always 8 ounces, of whatever. No matter how big your cup/mug holds. 8 ounces makes it a cup, coffee, water, tea, carbonated drinks, whatever. Hope that helps
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 12.familyguy said …
For research purpose, there should be specific concentraion and volume defined. Each studies will define the amount and concentration during the study design..but there’s no set amount for every research.
However, for every day use, a cup of coffee is a generic term. It could be 6oz cup or 8oz mug or whatever container you have…
If you want to find out nutritional info, find out what constitutes a cup of coffee by reading the original article, not the newspaper version lol, and refer to the serving info found on your original coffee container..
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 13.livin in vegas said …
By volume of liquid.
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 14.shktomdh4 said …
The measurement is by how much water you put in, that determines how much water is going to drip. The amount of grinds you put in just determines how strong or not strong the coffee will turn out.
You can put in 8 tablespoons of grinds, and only 2 cups of water and you’ll still get two cups of coffee.
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 15.phillip w said …
THE RULES IS,MAKE IT TO YOUR TASTE.IT
DEPENDS ON THE MAKE AND KIND OF COFFEE.WHEN IT COMES TO COFFEE,I BUY THE VERY BEST.YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT IS A JOY TO DRINK,AND
PERK YOU UP.
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 16.ptandps said …
In the US the cup of water is = to 6 oz.
The spoon for the coffee measure is a heaping tablespoon. They call for the 1:1 ratio…which is really strong. I use the measure on the pot…for 8 cups, I use 3 slightly heaping tablespoons and a scant 1/2. It makes it just fine for me…however I know people who think it too strong…when I entertain I get raves tho.
I use a premium (Gevalia) coffee…that could be why I have to use less. You may have to use more of generic store brands…Folgers, Maxwell House, etc.
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 17.Nunyu B said …
The fact that it was poured into a cup.
on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:07 am 18.jay1986 said …
if you want to get technical, the standard cup is 2 tabelspoons of ground coffee, and 6 ounces of water.
but generally it just means one mug or cup of coffee, nothing specific.