Teaspoon-handled measuring cups

I've had a surprisingly difficult time finding measuring cups in Berlin — at least at the one store I checked, which reacted to the request as if I'd been looking for a solid lump of Unobtanium — which might explain why I find this measuring cup so charming: the handle of each cup (1/4th, 1/3rd. 1/2 and 1 cup) doubles as a measuring spoon for quartered tea and tablespoons. Only $17.95.

Teaspoon handled measuring cups [Amazon via BoJ]

[#1 posted by dustinmeyer , December 15, 2008 5:34 AM]

Perhaps you haven't been asking for metric?

[#2 posted by Isaac , December 15, 2008 6:03 AM]

Cute idea, but it looks like those spoons would be pretty awkward to actually use.

[#3 posted by raisedbywolves , December 15, 2008 6:31 AM]

Never give in to the OCD German style of cooking with a scale! DON'T DO IT! Make Americans send you measuring cups.

I live in Hamburg, and I feel your pain and burning desire for measuring cups.

[#4 posted by AceJohnny , December 15, 2008 6:36 AM]

Asking for imperial measuring cups in continental Europe? Goodness man, are you trying to get yourself lynched!?

[#5 posted by stuckinkiel , December 15, 2008 7:54 AM]

As yet another Ami living in Germany, I understand where you're coming from. But I must say, part of the simplicity of American style recipes is that you don't NEED to buy special measuring devices. Just use a cup for a cup, a table spoon for a tablespoon and a tea spoon for a teaspoon. That's what I've been doing and it works!

[#6 posted by maryr , December 15, 2008 8:16 AM]

While those are a lovely design, I don't know how practical they are. I suppose if storage space were at a premium in your kitchen, these would be great. But I find when cooking I want more spoons, not fewer. What if your recipe calls for, say, a teaspoon of vanilla and then a 1/2 c of sugar? Do you have to put your thumb in leftover vanilla extract to measure the sugar? Do you have to stop and wash the cup in between?

[#7 posted by schönberger , December 15, 2008 8:57 AM]

The reason is, of course, that recipies in Germany are always given in amounts of grams and ml/ccm, requiring no set of measuring spoons but scales and a measuring cup (most of which have all the units on them, including cups).

[#8 posted by drinkumbrella , December 15, 2008 11:20 AM]

I have a set of these, and the ergonomics suck.

I also have yet to use the small ends to measure anything that way. Probably because you can't scoop deep into the baking powder box because there's this giant cup on the back end of the spoon, wider than the opening in the box. The small spoon ends are also very deep, so you have to have a deep (but not narrow!) container to scoop from.

It's a clever idea, but the actual product is way sub-optimal.

[#9 posted by Halloween Jack , December 15, 2008 3:18 PM]

I've seen these in plastic, with a longer handle to solve the problem elucidated by drinkumbrella above, but they sure would be prettier in stainless steel.

[#10 posted by heydemann3 , December 16, 2008 7:38 AM]

Most people in Europe sensibly weigh their ingredients when cooking. One scale and you have all of the measuring devices you need.
Go find a good scale and forget the cups and spoons!