Tiffin can be described as a light snack or meal in India and elsewhere. It can be any type of snack, from nuts and cheese to snacks, but it's also used for 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 typically made of stacked metal boxes, which snap together to make a tiffin. These boxes are not meant to be cooked on the stovetop but can be used as storage containers for home snacks.
There are many different sizes and shapes available for Tiffins. They are often round or cylindrical, and have a side clip for carrying. Tiffins can be made in various shapes, including bowls, plates or individual serving containers. You can even use the lids of tiffins as plates. They are ideal for taking to a restaurant, or leftovers can be served at home.
The story of tiffin is complex. It relates to the eating habits of the Indian population, which often prefers a light meal for lunch. It is also related to the British Raj's history. While tiffin is a British synonym for light luncheon, it originated in India.
Tiffin is traditionally served in India as a light lunch around 3 o'clock in an afternoon. It is a light snack made of vegetarian food and 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. In some homes, a child is threatened by his teacher if he doesn't bring a tiffin box to school. This is an affront to the host and a sign that the hospitality is not up to the expected standard. If the child does not have a tiffin package at lunch, they may feel hungry.
Mumbai residents use Tiffin to refer to a light lunch or a packed dinner. 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, tiffins can be found in restaurants, as well as in the homes of Indian people. They are also sold by dabbawalas, the delivery men who pick up food from households and deliver it to the work place. The tiffin box can be a traditional round metal box, or it can be a stacked set of stainless steel compartments with a handle for carrying.