Strawberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed fresh or used in a variety of recipes. When cooking or baking with strawberries, it is useful to know their weight per cup measurement. This allows you to accurately quantify ingredients and get consistent results.
The Weight of 1 Cup of Whole Strawberries
One cup of whole, raw strawberries weighs approximately 144 grams or 5.1 ounces. This is the weight including the stems and leaves that are often still attached to fresh strawberries. If the green tops have been removed, the weight of 1 cup of just the strawberry fruit will be slightly less.
The exact weight can vary slightly depending on the size and ripeness of the berries. Larger, juicier strawberries will be a bit heavier than smaller or drier ones. But in general, a cup of unhulled strawberries weighs between 140-150 grams.
Factors Affecting Strawberry Weight
There are a few key factors that influence the weight of strawberries in a measured cup:
- Whether stems are removed – Strawberries with stems will weigh more than trimmed, stemmed strawberries. The green tops account for 15-20% of the total weight.
- Berry size – Larger strawberries weigh more than smaller ones in the same volume.
- Ripeness – Ripe, juicy strawberries tend to weigh more than underripe ones which may be firm and dry.
- Variety – Different strawberry cultivars can range in size, juiciness and density. This impacts the weight.
- Growing conditions – Factors like weather and soil affect strawberry growth and juiciness, altering the weight.
When a specific weight is needed for cooking accuracy, it’s best to weigh prepared berries to account for this natural variability.
Volume and Density
The weight of strawberries in a given volume is determined by their density. Density reflects how tightly packed the fruit is in a cup measure.
Strawberries have a density of around 0.9 – 1.0 grams per cubic centimeter. This means 1 cubic centimeter (or 1 milliliter) of strawberry pulp weighs about 1 gram. Knowing strawberry density helps explain why a heaped cup can weigh significantly more than 144 grams while a firmly packed cup comes closer to that weight – the density varies.
Weights of Blending 1 Cup Strawberries
Blending or chopping strawberries reduces their volume through the removal of air pockets. This increases density and therefore weight in a measured cup.
Here are some approximate weights of processed strawberries in 1 cup:
- Sliced strawberries – 130 grams
- Chopped strawberries – 140 grams
- Pureed strawberries – 160 grams
- Frozen and thawed strawberries – 170 grams
Freezing tends to really concentrate the fruit as water evaporates, increasing the weight of a measured cup significantly compared to fresh.
Weight in Common Strawberry Measurements
For quick reference, here are the approximate weights of some common strawberry measurements:
| Measurement | Weight in Grams |
|---|---|
| 1 cup whole strawberries | 144g |
| 1 cup sliced strawberries | 130g |
| 1 cup chopped strawberries | 140g |
| 1 pint fresh strawberries | 290g |
| 1 ounce strawberries | 28g |
| 1 pound strawberries | 450g |
For Calculating Nutrition Information
Knowing the weight of strawberries makes it easy to calculate their nutritional value for any recipe or meal plan.
Here are some key macronutrients provided in 1 cup (144g) of raw strawberries:
- 54 calories
- 12g carbohydrates
- 3g fiber
- Less than 1g protein
- No fat
Strawberries also provide 120% of your daily vitamin C needs plus some vitamin A, manganese, folate and potassium in each 1 cup serving.
Weight of Strawberry Measurement Conversions
When a recipe calls for strawberries by volume, you can use the following conversions to determine their weight in grams or ounces:
- 1 pint strawberries = 2 cups = 290g = 10 oz
- 1 quart strawberries = 4 cups = 580g = 20 oz
- 1 gallon strawberries = 16 cups = 2320g = 5 lbs
Tips for Measuring Strawberries
To get an accurate cup measure and weight:
- Use fresh, intact strawberries – crushed or leaking berries will weigh less per cup
- Remove caps if desired before measuring – be consistent for recipes
- Gently add berries to measuring cup without packing or crushing
- Level off top of cup measure with a knife for an exact cup
- Weigh on a kitchen scale for most precision
Conclusion
Knowing that 1 cup of whole strawberries equals approximately 144 grams or 5 ounces by weight provides a useful reference point for recipes and meal planning. This average weight can go up or down based on strawberry size, ripeness and preparation method. For most accuracy, weigh your prepared berries. And remember that blending concentrates fruit, significantly increasing the weight per cup compared to whole berries.