Convert Hogshead (hogshead) to Dessertspoon (UK) (dessertspoon (UK)) instantly.
About these units
Hogshead (hogshead)
A hogshead is a traditional barrel volume whose size varied by commodity, region, and era. In British and colonial American contexts, a hogshead for beer or ale was commonly 54 imperial gallons, while for wine it was 63 gallons. Hogsheads were central to colonial commerce, especially in the tobacco trade, where standardized hogsheads—large wooden barrels—became essential for shipping cured leaves across the Atlantic. These giant casks often doubled as storage containers, shipping crates, and even temporary furniture. While the hogshead is not used in modern measurement, it occupies a prominent place in historical literature, trade records, and maritime archaeology. Its enduring cultural footprint reflects the importance of cooperage (barrel-making) in pre-industrial economies.
Dessertspoon (UK) (dessertspoon (UK))
A UK dessertspoon traditionally holds 10 milliliters, exactly double a teaspoon and two-thirds of a tablespoon. It served as an intermediate measure in older British recipes, frequently used before strict metrication took hold. Historically, its capacity varied between 8–12 mL, reflecting differences in cutlery styles and household practices. Many Victorian and Edwardian cookbooks reference dessertspoons extensively, making familiarity with the unit essential for culinary historians. Although largely obsolete in modern British cooking, the dessertspoon survives in heritage recipes, some baking traditions, and specialized kitchen contexts where small-to-medium quantities of liquid or spice must be measured.