What’s the difference between a Masala Dabba and a Tiffin?
Posted on: Oct 23, 2025
When you walk into Indian kitchens, you’ll come across all sorts of lovely, purpose-built containers whose names may (or may not!) be unfamiliar - two that often cause confusion are the Masala Dabba and the Tiffin (box). They may sound similar, and yes, they both involve “boxes” (or “dabbas” in Hindi) - but they serve very different culinary roles. Let’s explore what each is, how they’re used, and ultimately what’s the difference between a Masala Dabba and a Tiffin.
What is a Masala Dabba?
The basics
“Masala” means spice or spice-mixture. “Dabba” simply means box or tin. So a Masala Dabba is literally a spice-box. According to sources:
It’s typically a round or sometimes square container made of stainless steel (sometimes older versions in brass or wood) with ~7 small compartments inside, each holding a different spice.
It’s deeply embedded in Indian kitchen practices, used for storing the most frequently used spices in one accessible place.
It often carries a sense of tradition and heritage: families might pass one down generations.
How it’s used
The Masala Dabba sits near your stove or in the spice zone of your kitchen so you can quickly reach for cumin, coriander, turmeric, chilli powder, mustard seeds – whatever your everyday staples are.
You keep small quantities of each spice because: ground spices lose flavour over time, and this arrangement helps maintain freshness.
It’s not meant to carry food; it’s for storing spices.
Why it matters
It offers convenience and rhythm in cooking – your go-to spices are ready at hand.
It has cultural meaning: a Masala Dabba can be a kitchen heirloom, symbolic of passing down cooking traditions.
It helps with spice organisation and can encourage more confident home cooking of Indian dishes.
Want to know more about the origins of the Masala Dabba? Read the full story here.
What is a Tiffin?
The basics
“Tiffin” is a British‐Anglo Indian word originally meaning a light meal or midday snack/meal. Over time, in India and other parts of South Asia, the word “tiffin” came to refer both to the meal and to the container that carries the meal.
When referring to the container (often called a “tiffin box” or “tiffin carrier”):
It is generally a stack of two, three or more compartments (tiers) of metal (steel, aluminium) which clip/latch together for carrying food.
It is used for packing complete meals — rice or bread in one tier, a curry or vegetable in another, a salad/pickle/yoghurt in another.
In cities like Mumbai the delivery of tiffins by the famed “dabbawalas” uses such carriers.
How it’s used
You pack your lunch (or workers do) in the tiffin box, stacking the compartments.
The container is designed to transport meals from home to office, or school lunchboxes, etc. It’s not primarily a spice‐storage tool but a meal transport container.
It keeps types of food separate (so you don’t mix curries and rice or sweet and savoury unintentionally) and makes it easy to carry a full meal.
Why it matters
It’s a cultural icon of Indian lunch culture - the lunchtime box carried by millions of workers and schoolchildren.
It is functional: practical, durable, reusable, sustainable compared with throw-away packaging.
It spans tradition and modern life: from home-packed meals to retro lunchbox chic worldwide.
So... What’s the difference between a Masala Dabba and a Tiffin?
Here’s a side-by-side comparison to clarify the difference:
| Feature | Masala Dabba | Tiffin (Box) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Storage & organisation of spices | Transporting a meal (or meal components) |
| Typical structure | One container with ~7 small compartments inside; round or square; holds spices. (Sukhi's) | Stack of 2–4 (or more) separate containers (tiers) that clip/latch together; holds food. (Wikipedia) |
| Materials / typical look | Stainless steel (sometimes older brass/wood) with small bowls for spices. (Made In Cookware) | Stainless steel or aluminium; sealed tiers; larger size to accommodate food. (nicety) |
| Usage context | In the kitchen, near stove or spice area; for everyday cooking. | Carrying food for work, school, travel; meal preparation and transport. |
| Cultural symbolism | Kitchen heirloom; sign of cooking tradition and spice‐love. | The lunch system; work/social culture; lunch delivery tradition (especially in Mumbai). |
| Confusion source | Both are “boxes/dabbas”, Indian‐style; naming overlap can confuse. | As above — both use the term “dabba” in Hindi, so for non-specialists the terms may blur. |
Why does the confusion happen?
The word dabba (Hindi/Urdu for “box” or “tin”) shows up in both names, so you often hear “dabba” used loosely (“dabba tin”, “dabba box”).
For many western users first seeing Indian cookware or lunch‐gear, both look like metal containers with compartments, so visually there’s some similarity.
The culture of Indian kitchens is rich and layered, and words evolve: “tiffin” originally meant light meal, but got applied to the container; “dabba” can refer generically to any box.
When you search online, you’ll find tiffin boxes marketed for snacks or lunch, and masala dabbas for spice storage, but without background it’s easy to mix them up.
How to choose (or use) them effectively
If you’re looking for a Masala Dabba:
Pick one with ~7 compartments (a classic design) so you can keep your key spices at hand. If you’re ready to bring this traditional spice box into your kitchen, shop our Masala Dabbas here.
Use high-quality stainless steel (for durability and easy cleaning).
Store it near your cooking area so it becomes part of your workflow.
Fill it with your “go-to” spices (not every spice): e.g., turmeric, cumin seeds, coriander powder, chilli powder, mustard seeds, garam masala, cardamom. Spice Kitchen
Avoid placing it near heat/stove (direct heat can reduce spice potency); keep the lid closed after use for freshness.
If you’re using or buying a Tiffin box:
Check how many tiers you need (just lunch vs full meal vs travelling meal).
Ensure the clasps/latches are secure and comfortable to carry.
Consider material: stainless steel is durable and eco-friendly.
Use it for packing balanced meals: e.g., rice/bread in one layer, curry/vegetable in another, salad/yoghurt/pickle in third.
Clean thoroughly after each use to avoid mixing flavours and maintain hygiene.
Final word
So, when someone asks “What’s the difference between a Masala Dabba and a Tiffin?”, now you can answer confidently: one is your trusted spice companion in the kitchen, the other is your trusty meal-carrier for lunch or travel. Both are beautifully practical, but serve completely different roles.
If you’re cooking Indian food at home, invest in a good Masala Dabba — it’s like having a little spice arsenal at your fingertips. If you’re packing lunch or want a smart, reusable solution for meals on the go, get a sturdy Tiffin box and relish the tradition with every bite.
Here’s to more organised spices, happier lunches, and fewer mix-ups in your kitchen and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about the difference between a Masala Dabba and a Tiffin?
You’re not alone: it’s one of the most common things people ask us. So, to make life easier, we’ve gathered a few of the top questions (and clear answers!) below.
What is a Masala Dabba used for?
A Masala Dabba is a traditional Indian spice box, usually made from stainless steel, that keeps your most-used spices organised and ready to go. Many home cooks store everyday essentials like turmeric, cumin seeds, coriander powder, chilli powder, mustard seeds, cardamom and garam masala in their dabba. It’s designed to make cooking easier - everything’s in one place.
What is a Tiffin box used for?
A Tiffin is a classic Indian lunch box. It’s usually made up of two or more stackable compartments that keep your food separate and secure. People use it to carry rice, curries, pickles and salads from home to work or school. It’s practical, sustainable, and part of everyday life in many Indian cities.
Is a Masala Dabba the same as a Tiffin?
No... even though both are “dabbas” (which means “box” in Hindi), they have completely different purposes. A Masala Dabba stores spices in the kitchen, while a Tiffin carries meals. The Masala Dabba is your cooking companion, the Tiffin is your lunch-on-the-go hero.
Why do people confuse Masala Dabbas and Tiffins?
Because they both look like metal tins with compartments - and the word “dabba” pops up in both names. For people who are new to Indian cookware, they can seem similar at first glance. But once you know the difference, it’s easy to tell them apart.
Where can I buy a Masala Dabba or Tiffin?
You can find Masala Dabbas right here at Spice Kitchen, they make a beautiful, practical addition to any kitchen. Tiffins are widely available too, especially if you’re looking for a sustainable way to pack your lunch.