In India, Tiffin is used to refer to a light meal or snack. It can mean any kind of snack from a box, including snacks such as cheese and nuts, but it is also associated with lunch. It's usually eaten at 3:00 p.m. and includes a variety of light and savory dishes.
The origins for the word "tiffin" date back to early nineteenth-century India, when British colonial leaders in India chose to have a light midday meal instead of taking their usual afternoon siestas. Tiffin boxes were the most convenient way for them to transport their home-cooked meals, as they were often far from home.
Tiffins are made traditionally from metal boxes that can be stacked and then snapped together to form a tiffin container. They can't be cooked on the stovetop. However, they make excellent storage containers for at home snacks.
Tiffins are available in a range of shapes and sizes. These tiffins can be cylindrical or round, and they have a side clip that allows for easy transport. Tiffins can be made in various shapes, including bowls, plates or individual serving containers. Additionally, the lids on tiffins may double as plates. These tiffins are great for serving leftovers at home or taking to the restaurant.
The history of Tiffin is complicated. It is connected to the Indian people's eating habits. Many prefer light meals for lunch. It also has to do with the British Raj's history. While tiffin originated in India, it is now commonly used in Britain as a synonym for a light luncheon.
Tiffin in India is usually served as light lunch around three o’clock in the afternoon. Tiffin is a casual snack and generally contains less spice. You can make it from sweet foods like halwa or sundaes to savoury dishes such as rice dumplings and lentil crepes.
It is a tradition in many Indian households that a child is asked to bring a tiffin box for lunch. Some homes threaten their child with reprimand if they don't send a tiffin bag to school. This is a serious offense to the host, and an indication that the quality of the hospitality is not up-to-standard. If the child doesn't have a lunch tiffin, he/she may feel hungry.
Tiffin is a term used by the residents of Mumbai for a light lunch, or a packed lunch. The Mumbai Tiffin box Suppliers' Association organizes this system. It collects food from homes of workers and delivers it back to them. Numerous Bollywood movies have used a tiffin theme.
Today, you can find tiffins in Indian restaurants as well in Indian households. They are also sold to dabbawalas. These men pick up food from people's homes and then deliver it to their work places. A traditional round metal box is also available, as well as a stackable set of compartments in stainless steel with handles.