Whole coriander seeds are dried, round seeds with a pungent, lemony, and somewhat spicy flavor that are often used in spice blends, pickling, and cooking. Split coriander seeds, also known as cracked coriander, are broken into halves or coarse pieces, resulting in increased scent and flavor. They're great for tempering, spice mixtures, and rapid flavor infusion in recipes. Both kinds improve dishes but have distinct culinary functions.