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Culinary Arts & Cooking vocabulary · Recipes, Measurements & Costing

Pinch

Meaning in culinary arts & cooking, with examples

nounCommon term

In culinary arts & cooking, pinch means: A very small amount of an ingredient taken between the fingers.

In Turkish: tutam

How it is used

Common with salt and spices; it is an approximate amount rather than a precise weight.

Example sentences

  1. Add a pinch of cinnamon to the fruit mixture.

    The measure asks for only a small seasoning adjustment.

  2. A pinch of salt sharpened the chocolate flavour.

    The phrase describes a small amount used for balance.

Common collocations

  • a pinch of salt
  • a pinch of spice
  • seasonTo add salt, pepper or other flavourings to food to improve its taste. Well seasoned means the salt and flavour are at the right level.
  • to tasteIn the amount that gives the flavour you want, decided by tasting rather than by an exact measure. Used mostly with salt, pepper, sugar and acid.

More terms: Recipes, Measurements & Costing

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