What is meant by their provision being "similar" (mutashābih)?

Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597 AH / 1201 CE) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr":

1. It is similar in appearance and color, but different in taste. [Mujāhid, Abū al-ʿĀliyah, al-Ḍaḥḥāk, al-Suddī, Muqātil]
2. It is similar in quality, it contains no defects.[Al-Ḥasan, Ibn Jurayj]
3. It resembles the fruits of this world in nature and name, but it is better in appearance and taste. [Qatādah, Ibn Zayd]