To level or not to level.
How do you volume measure nuts, seeds and, dry beans? Do you level or do you not level?
Answers
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those measurements are specific. For example see https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/beltsville-md-bhnrc/beltsville-human-nutrition-research-center/methods-and-application-of-food-composition-laboratory/mafcl-site-pages/measurement-conversion-tables/
If you are using an 8 fl oz measuring cup, then level it off. If you are using a random cup from your cupboard, then just be consistent.
If you really want precision and repeatability, get a digital scale. But even then, the composition is not that reliable. Margins of errors of +-20% seem common both in published data and food labels.
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Makes sense. I was measuring sunflower seeds(6 Tbsp) But what about something bigger like soybeans, or Lima beans? I assume it's the same procedure of scooping, and then leveling. Right?
So let's say we are to measure a cup of dry soybeans or limas. You will level off that too as with something smaller like sugar.
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The point is, it doesn't matter. Every number is just an estimate, with margins of errors often greater than 40%. Two or three more soybeans per cup won't make any difference.