The Masala Dabba, Evolved: Our New Tins
For generations, the masala dabba — a round steel spice box filled with small katoris (steel bowls) of individual spices — has been at the heart of every Indian kitchen.
Where once a cook needed real skill to balance each individual spice in a traditional masala dabba, Mrs Balbir Singh’s unrivalled alchemy is already mastered for you: perfectly blended masalas, each housed in their own modern “dabbas,” crafted with precision for today’s kitchens and lifestyles.
The Thinking
The traditional masala dabba demanded knowledge, patience, and years of practice. A teaspoon too much of one spice, or too little of another, could tip a dish off balance. It is an art passed down from generation to generation.
At Mrs Balbir Singh’s, we wanted to honour that heritage — but also make it accessible. Our goal was to design a vessel as exceptional as the blends it holds: tins that would protect, elevate, and celebrate our masalas. Where the old dabba was a test of skill, our blends are that alchemy already mastered for you: balanced, precise, and true to the legacy of Mrs Balbir Singh.
The vessel should be as worthy as the blend.
The Craft
Working with a multi-generational, family-owned manufacturer of world-class tins, trusted by some of the world’s best-known premium brands, we re-engineered every detail. The result is packaging that is not only practical, but also worthy of display — a modern evolution of the masala dabba.
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Infinitely Recyclable: Premium steel tin with food-safe inks — no waste, no compromise.
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No Labels: Designs printed directly onto the tin for a cleaner, more elevated finish.
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Embossed Lid: Bearing the Mrs Balbir Singh’s mark — the seal of the Gold Standard.
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Display-Worthy: Beautiful enough to live on your kitchen counter, not hidden in a cupboard.
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World-Class Quality: Accredited to the British Retail Consortium global standard.
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Sealed-at-Source: Blended and packed in India to lock in peak flavour.
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Wider Opening: Easier to use level measuring spoons for perfect results.
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Airtight Plug Lid: An improved fit that locks in aroma and freshness.
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No Shaker Insert: enabling precision cooking.
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Food-Safe Interior Lining: Protects the spice and preserves purity.
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QR Code on the Base: Scan for digital recipe cards — and soon, more.
Pro Tip: Tap the lid twice before opening — or tap the tin gently on the counter. It will keep your counter clean and your blend intact, and ready to measure.
Instantly iconic tins — worthy of a new pop art movement, and perhaps the approval of the next Andy Warhol.
The Result
The gourmet spice blends you love, now in tins that are every bit as deserving of them. A modern evolution of the masala dabba, reimagined for today’s lifestyles.
From the students who once learned directly from Mrs Balbir Singh, to the families who treasured her book for decades, to today’s international circle of curry connoisseurs — this is your story too.
Our tins are more than packaging. They are the continuation of a legacy. The masala dabba, evolved — and part of our Art of Spice™ for today’s kitchens.
