A dry measuring cup is used for measuring solid cooking ingredients like flour, sugar, oats, etc. Dry measuring cups are made from plastic or metal and sets usually include 1 cup, 1/2 cup 1/3 cup and 1/4 cup. When using a dry measuring cup the capacity is measured to the level top of the cup.
Scoop or spoon ingredients into the measuring cup. Then using the back of a kitchen knife or other straight edge scrape the knife along the top of the cup to level off the ingredients.
If you're measuring something like herbs, or greens you can pack the ingredients into the cup and there is no need to level them off. Sometimes the recipe will indicate if the ingredient should be measured "packed"; if that's the case then pack the ingredients down into the cup.
It is best to use a liquid measuring cup for liquids and a dry measuring cup for all solid foods. There is a slight difference in the measurement. That being said, cooking is not all that precise. An extra teaspoon or two here or there will make little difference in most recipes. Baking on the other hand is much more precise. If you are a serious baker you should consider using a kitchen scale which is much more accurate. If not then you should use dry and liquid cups properly.
Clearly this is a pretty easy product to find. Basic kitchen utensils can be purchased in many grocery stores, hardware stores and kitchen shops. We prefer a basic set of aluminum measuring cups. Plastic measuring cups can absorb food smells and get stained from ingredients like tomato paste. They can also get warped in the dishwasher The metal cups are easy to maintain and can be washed in the dishwasher.
The standard dry measuring cup for at least 50 years was made by the Foley company. The Foley company is no longer in business.