According to this site, the density of peppercorns is about 580 g per litre. A (metric) cup is 0.25 of a litre, so would have a mass of about 145 g. A packet of peppercorns that I recently purchased had a mass of 30 g, and contained 55 peppercorns. At least, that's how many I counted as I was gathering them up off the floor after accidentally ripping the bag open. That would give 267 peppercorns per cup. IF I found them all! Also, since they vary in size and density, mine might have been denser (hence smaller for weight) than those used for the original measurement. And, I have noticed, they tend to shrink over time, presumably due to some dehydration. Older peppercorns would then tend to have a smaller volume (and fit more into a cupful) than fresh ones.
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Response last updated by gtho4 on Sep 02 2016.
Aug 03 2009, 1:42 AM
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