A simple way to check if your jeera is still good

Heat a little oil or ghee, drop in a few cumin seeds and wait. Fresh jeera sizzles right away, darkens in a few seconds and fills the room with a toasty smell. Old jeera hesitates, smells flat and sometimes tastes a bit bitter.

Whole seeds hold their flavour much longer than ground cumin, so if you cook a lot, buy whole and grind small amounts when you need them. A cheap mortar and pestle is one of the best kitchen upgrades you'll ever make.