UK Teaspoons
Abbreviation/Symbol:
tsp
Worldwide use:
UK teaspoons are a common unit of measurement used worldwide for small quantities of ingredients in cooking and baking in the United Kingdom.
Definition:
A UK teaspoon is equivalent to 5 milliliters, which is slightly smaller than the standard metric teaspoon used in other countries. This discrepancy in teaspoon measurements can sometimes lead to confusion when following recipes from different regions.
Origin:
The origin of the UK teaspoon can be traced back to the 17th century when tea drinking became popular in England. As tea became a fashionable beverage among the upper classes, the need for a standardized utensil to measure and stir sugar into tea arose. The teaspoon, with its small size and convenient shape, quickly became the preferred tool for this purpose.
Usage context:
In the United Kingdom, teaspoons are commonly used as a unit of measurement in both cooking and for serving beverages such as tea and coffee. In cooking, UK teaspoons are often used to measure small amounts of ingredients such as spices, flavorings, or baking powder.