Crossword Genius

A requirement to digest one's cake flavouring (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aniseed

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'cake flavouring' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a requirement to digest one's' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is located in the answer.
'one's' could be 'is' (Roman numeral) and 'is' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'eed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aniseed that I've seen before include "Liquorice flavouring -- ie Danes (anag)" , "Plant" , "Licorice-flavoured sweets" , "Eased in (anag)" , "Die sane (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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