Questions and Answers – Scant Measurement
Question:
I frequently see the word “scant” after a listed ingredient (e.g., “1 teaspoon salt, scant”). In this context, what does “scant” mean? – Neil (6/11/02)
Answer:
Scant means lacking a small part of the whole – not quite up to full measure or just barely. In other words, 1 scant teaspoon means not quite a whole teaspoon but a little less. In cooking, scant refers to an amount that just barely reaching or not packed.
Scant is a very bad term to use in a recipe. The recipe should give the exact amount or say “to taste.”
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2 Responses to “Scant Meaurement”
judy h.
Thank you for the clarification. I have a cookie recipe from my husband’s grandmother. The recipe calls for a scant cup of shortening. I’ve made the recipe several times taking a cup of shortening and then scooping a bit out. They have always turned out well, but the “scant” term has always puzzled me.
Mike
If you consider “scant” to be a very bad term to use in a recipe because it’s not precise, try to imagine how silly it seems to many people around the world not to measure everything by weight (to the gram, if needed).
It’s a matter of taste—so to speak.