Glas (glas) to Matskedar (msk) conversion

What is Glas?

Glas is a Swedish unit of volume used in cooking and baking. The word "glas" is Swedish for "glass," reflecting its origin as a measure based on the contents of a drinking glass. In modern Swedish recipes it is a standardized measure.

Definition of Glas

In the standardized Swedish system of kitchen measures (matmått), one glas is defined as 2 deciliters, which is equal to 200 millilitres.

$$1 \text{ glas} = 2 \text{ dL} = 200 \text{ mL} = 0.2 \text{ L}$$

Like the other Swedish cooking measures (kryddmått, tesked, matsked, and kaffekopp), the glas follows the metric system, so conversions to litres and millilitres are exact.

Relationship to Other Units

The glas fits neatly into the family of Swedish volume measures and the wider metric system:

• 1 glas = 200 mL = 20 centilitres
• 1 glas = 2 deciliter (dL)
• 1 glas ≈ 6.76 US fluid ounces
• 1 glas ≈ 7.04 Imperial fluid ounces
• 1 glas ≈ 0.85 US cups

Because 1 kaffekopp (coffee cup) is 1.5 dL, a glas (2 dL) is slightly larger than a kaffekopp.

Historical Context

The glas belongs to the set of household measures that Swedish cooks have long used in place of scales. As Sweden adopted the metric system in the late 19th century, these traditional kitchen measures were standardized to round metric values, giving the glas its modern value of 2 dL. There is no single law or historical figure directly associated with it; rather, it reflects the gradual standardization of everyday cooking measurements.

Real-World Examples

Glas measurements appear frequently in Swedish and Scandinavian recipes:

• Baking: A cake recipe might call for 3 glas of flour.
• Cooking: A sauce or soup might need 1 glas of cream or stock.
• Drinks: Punch and cordial recipes are often measured in glas.

Converting Glas

Because the glas is defined in exact metric terms, conversion is straightforward. To convert a volume in glas to litres:

$$\text{Volume in Liters} = \text{Volume in Glas} \times 0.2$$

For example, 4 glas equals $4 \times 0.2 = 0.8$ litres (800 mL).

What is Matskedar?

Matskedar, often abbreviated as "msk," is a Swedish unit of volume traditionally used in cooking. It translates directly to "tablespoon" in English. While the exact volume can vary slightly, it's generally accepted as part of the metric system for cooking measurements.

Formation and Standardization

Unlike some historical units with complex origins, the matskedar is a relatively straightforward measurement. Its size has become increasingly standardized. One matskedar is equal to:

• 15 mL (milliliters)
• 0.507 US fluid ounces
• 3 teaspoons

Historical Context

While not tied to a specific law or prominent figure, the matskedar reflects the historical evolution of cooking measurements. Standardized units like the matskedar simplify recipe creation and ensure consistent results.

Real-World Examples

Matskedar measurements are commonly found in Swedish and Scandinavian recipes. Here are some examples:

• Baking: A recipe might call for 2 matskedar of baking powder.
• Sauces: Adding 1 matskedar of vinegar to a sauce for flavor.
• Seasoning: Using 1/2 matskedar of salt in a soup.

Relationship to Other Units

Matskedar can be easily converted to other units. Here are some conversions:

• Milliliters (mL): 1 matskedar = 15 mL
• Liters (L): 1 matskedar = 0.015 L

Example Formula

$$\text{Volume in Liters} = \text{Volume in Matskedar} \times 0.015$$

• US Tablespoons (tbsp): 1 matskedar ≈ 1 US tbsp (Slightly smaller, US tbsp is 14.8 mL)

Matsked vs Tesked

Teskedar is a related measurement. Teskedar is tea spoon. The relationship between Matskedar and Teskedar is:

$$1 \text{ Matskedar} = 3 \text{ Teskedar}$$

For more information on cooking measurements and unit conversions, resources like King Arthur Baking provide helpful charts and information.