Combine. Place chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, 1 cup cilantro, the cumin, salt, and 1/4 jalapeño pepper (if using) into a blender or food processor.
Puree the hummus, adding 1-3 Tablespoons water, if needed, to thin out the hummus. (I like to add 3 Tablespoons of water total for a smooth, creamy texture.) If using a food processor, you may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times.
Taste & Adjust. Taste the hummus and add more cilantro, lime juice, jalapeño, salt, or cumin, to taste.
Serve & Store. Add any desired garnishes and enjoy right away, or cover the hummus and store in the refrigerator 3-4 days. Enjoy with fresh veggies, tortilla chips, crackers, pita chips, pretzels, grilled chicken, etc.
Keep in mind that for food safety, hummus should only be out at room temperature for a maximum of 2 hours. Store it in the fridge for best results!