What is a ap quantity?

Answer 1

"As purchased" quantity when costing a recipe. This is not to be confused with "as served or "edible portion."

When calculating the amount of food needed for a recipe you have to use the "as purchased price." In other words, you have to buy more of some items to insure that you have the amount called for in the recipe, since there will be waste. (i.e. peels, shells, skin, bone.)