Three measures of meal

Why three measures of meal?  I have read that this is a large quantity of meal and would make many loaves of bread - much more than would be required for an average family.

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened." (Matthew 13:33)

The leaven affects the whole.  From the book of Exodus (Exodus 13) and 1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5), leaven seems to have a bad reputation, or at least it is on the negative side of the analogy.  Here is it compared to the kingdom of heaven.  This is a beautiful parable that merits reflection.  Like the mustard seed parable which precedes it, it reminds us of the importance of tiny actions that have far-reaching consequences.  It reminds us, too, with this domestic setting, of the blessed pleasure of baking bread.