Whole spices as dried inactive seeds, leaves, bark and roots, inclusive of aromatic oils with magical spice flavours within, just waiting to be released.
Whole spices have a longer shelf life than pre-packaged ground ones, recovering brightness until their intense flavour is extracted.
Which is why, even today, many Indian home-cooks will not examine having just store-bought ground spices in their kitchen, except turmeric and red chillies; both are best ground by a trusted spice merchant.