A simple way to check if your jeera is still good
You don't need a lab. You need a spoon of hot oil and about ten seconds.
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Spices are not tinned beans. They're plant material, and they change with time, light and heat. A jar of haldi kept next to the stove will lose its smell much faster than one kept in a cool, dark cupboard.
Next time you open a jar, rub a pinch between your fingers. It should smell earthy and a little peppery, and your skin should turn properly yellow. If it smells like nothing at all, it's tired. Buy smaller packs, close the lid tightly and use it up within a few months.
