Teaspoons and tablespoons are both units of measurement commonly used in cooking and baking to measure ingredients like salt, sugar, flour, or spices. The main difference between the two is their size and the amount of ingredients they can hold.
A teaspoon (abbreviated as tsp.) is a small measuring spoon that holds approximately 5 milliliters (ml) or 1/6 fluid ounces (fl oz) of liquid. It is typically used for measuring smaller amounts of ingredients like spices, extracts, or baking powder.
A tablespoon (abbreviated as tbs. or tbsp.) is an oversized measuring spoon that holds approximately 15 ml or 1/2 fl oz of liquid. It is typically used for measuring more significant amounts of ingredients like oil, honey, or peanut butter.
Notice that a tablespoon is 3x bigger than a teaspoon.
Regarding shape, teaspoons and tablespoons are typically similar, with a rounded or oval-shaped bowl and a long handle. However, tablespoons are generally larger and may have a slightly deeper bowl.
In summary, the main differences between teaspoons and tablespoons are:
- Size: teaspoons are smaller and hold approximately 5 ml, while tablespoons are larger and hold approximately 15 ml.
- Use: teaspoons are used for measuring small amounts of ingredients, while tablespoons are used for measuring larger amounts.
- Abbreviations: teaspoons are abbreviated as tsp, while tablespoons are abbreviated as tbs or tbsp.
