Coriander seed provided the biblical writers with their closest natural comparison for manna's appearance. Both Exodus and Numbers describe manna as resembling coriander seed in size and perhaps color—small, round, whitish granules. Coriander was well-known in the ancient Near East as a culinary herb and spice, its seeds valued for flavoring food. By comparing the mysterious heaven-sent manna to familiar coriander seed, the text helped Israelites (and readers) visualize this supernatural provision. The comparison focused on physical appearance rather than taste, since manna's flavor is described separately.