Digital Kitchen Scale
Essential for cup-to-gram accuracy and repeatable bakes.
Shop scales ↗Masa Harina
Flours & GrainsNixtamalised corn flour — corn cooked with lime (calcium hydroxide), dried, and ground. Essential for tortillas, tamales, and pupusas.
Properties
Density Index
0.50 g/cm3
1 Cup Weight
120g
Texture
Dry
Category
Flour
Top Substitute
Cornmeal
Use Not interchangeable
Cornmeal lacks the lime treatment — will not bind into tortilla dough.
Most-used links for Masa Harina
Conversions
| cups | grams |
|---|---|
| 1/4 cups | 30.0 grams |
| 1/3 cups | 40.0 grams |
| 1/2 cups | 60.0 grams |
| 1 cups | 120 grams |
| 1.50 cups | 180 grams |
| 2 cups | 240 grams |
| 3 cups | 360 grams |
| 4 cups | 480 grams |
Figures use the US cup (236.6 ml).
Density: 0.5 g/ml
Quick Convert
Ingredient-specific, density-based conversions for baking
1 cups of Masa Harina equals 118 grams
Ingredient-specific · density-based
Cup size
Based on us cup (236.6 ml) · density data from baking references and our own measurements.Advertisement
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Measuring Cup & Spoon Set
Useful for quick volume checks before converting to weight.
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Substitutions for Masa Harina
Storage Tips
Airtight container in cool dry place 3-6 months. Refrigerate for longer storage.
Baking Science
The nixtamalisation process releases niacin and gives masa its distinctive aroma and binding properties. Regular cornmeal cannot substitute — it lacks the lime treatment and will not form a cohesive dough.
Recipe Context
For cakes: use weight to avoid dense crumb from over-measuring.
For bread: control hydration by weighing flour and liquids together.
For cookies: 10-20g extra flour can reduce spread noticeably.
Common Pitfalls
- Switching brands without re-checking weight can change texture and bake time.
- Using volume-only measurements for dense ingredients can overshoot recipe targets.
- Scooping directly from the bag compresses flour and can make bakes dry.
Brand Variance & Measuring Method
Baseline reference: 1 cup masa harina = 120g. In real kitchens, a practical range is usually 106g-134g per cup (12% band).
Why this happens: flours and grains compact differently based on scoop method, humidity, and grind fineness.
Figures use the US cup (236.6 ml).Common Questions
How many grams is 1 cup of masa harina?
1 cup of masa harina weighs 120 grams.
What can I substitute for masa harina?
Cornmeal (Not interchangeable)
Explore Masa Harina Further
Reference
See masa harina in the full measurement table
Cup, tablespoon, and teaspoon weights for all ingredients, sourced and cross-checked.