meaning - American 'cup' measurement — for cheese


One recipe states "one cup of cheese, shredded". Now, does this mean you need a "cup" of cheese (i.e. 8oz.) and then grate it (I am English), or do you grate it first and then measure your "cup" of the resultant grated cheese? The volume will be greater once the cheese is grated!


I am anxious to get the right quantity; if it said "one cup of grated cheese" that would be clear.


It seems to me that this system of using 'cup' measurement is all based on volume, rather than weight.




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