Short answer: buy brass if the dabba will live on your counter and you cook Indian food most days. Buy stainless steel if it will sit in a cupboard, go in the dishwasher, or travel. A hand-finished brass masala dabba from Moradabad costs $59 to $99 and lasts for decades; a good steel one costs $20 to $35.
What a masala dabba is
A masala dabba is a round tin with seven small bowls inside and one small spoon. It holds the spices you reach for at the start of almost every Indian dish: cumin, mustard seed, turmeric, red chilli, coriander, garam masala and salt or asafoetida. The outer lid keeps light and air out; the inner bowls keep each spice separate. Every Indian kitchen has one.
Brass vs stainless steel, point by point
| Brass (Moradabad) | Stainless steel | |
|---|---|---|
| Keeps spices fresh | Excellent. Thick walls, tight lid, no light. | Good. Thinner walls, lid can loosen with use. |
| Looks | Warm gold, hand-etched patterns, develops a patina. | Plain, stays the same. |
| Weight (7-bowl, 8 inch) | About 1.2 kg | About 0.5 kg |
| Dishwasher | No. Hand wash, dry at once. | Yes. |
| Price | $59 to $99 handmade | $20 to $35 factory made |
| Lifespan | Generations. Re-polish every few years. | 10 to 15 years before dents and loose lids. |
Is brass safe for spices?
Yes, for dry spices. Brass reacts with acidic or wet food, which is why brass cookware is tinned inside. A masala dabba only holds dry powders and seeds, so untinned brass is the traditional and safe choice. Keep wet spoons out of it and it will never tarnish from the inside.
How to care for a brass dabba
- Wipe the bowls with a dry cloth when you refill. Wash the outside with mild soap, dry immediately.
- Once every few months, rub with half a lemon dipped in salt, rinse, dry. The shine comes back in a minute.
- Do not store it wet or in a steamy spot above the hob.
What to look for when buying
Pure brass, not brass-plated steel (a magnet should not stick). A lid that seats with a soft click. Bowls that lift out for washing. Hand engraving, which you can feel with a fingernail, rather than a printed pattern. Ours are made in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, the city that has made brass for 400 years, and ship to the US in 10 to 14 days with tracking.
