
BY Claire Lower
Traditionally, a “pinch” simply meant the amount you could literally pinch between your forefinger and thumb, which usually falls somewhere between 1/16 and 1/8 of a teaspoon. A smidgen is half a pinch (1/32 of a teaspoon), and a dash is a liquid measurement that translates to to 1/8 of a teaspoon. These terms are handy to know, but don’t fret if you have tiny measuring spoons; these units are most commonly used for seasoning, so it’s very unlikely you’ll ruin anything by playing a little fast and loose with these amounts.