What Exactly Defines A “cup” Of Coffee? The Amount Of Ground Coffee Or The Amount Of Water Used To Brew?

11 June 2009 in Coffee maker

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?


Related Articles:

Tags: , , , , , , ,

11 June 2009 Coffee maker

18 Comments to What Exactly Defines A “cup” Of Coffee? The Amount Of Ground Coffee Or The Amount Of Water Used To Brew?

  1. 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.

    2. jeni on 11 June 2009

  2. 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.

    3. starbrit on 11 June 2009

  3. 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.

    4. Baby Safety Monitors on 11 June 2009

  4. 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

    5. yekimbro on 11 June 2009

  5. The fact that it was poured into a cup.

    6. Nunyu B on 11 June 2009

  6. 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..

    7. familygu on 11 June 2009

  7. The water

    8. Creola on 11 June 2009

  8. 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”

    9. nicki v on 12 June 2009

  9. A “cup” of coffee is 6 oz. brewed, prepared as directed.

    10. The Naughty Librarian on 12 June 2009

  10. I’ve always thought of ONE CUP as being the mixture of the coffee and added water that fills an 8 oz cup

    11. *~Lollip on 12 June 2009

  11. both coffee and water brewed and served in a cup about 8 oz. try cookies with that coffee.

    12. Chicco Baby Gear on 12 June 2009

  12. 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.

    13. jay1986 on 12 June 2009

  13. By volume of liquid.

    14. livin in vegas on 12 June 2009

  14. a cup is 8oz but the coffe companies say six on the coffee package. I don’t know why.

    15. dean on 12 June 2009

  15. the amount of coffee. In some cultures the cups are really tiny but strong. I would still consider that a full dose of coffee :)

    16. famehunt on 13 June 2009

  16. 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.

    17. ptandps on 13 June 2009

  17. A “cup” of coffee is just that, 8 fluid ounces (cup) of water

    18. Steelers on 13 June 2009

  18. 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.

    19. supastre on 13 June 2009

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Categories