Add exotic spice to long narrative poems (5)

I believe the answer is:

epics

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

'narrative poems' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'add exotic spice to long' is the wordplay.
'spice' anagrams to 'EPICS'.
But, I am not clear how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for epics that I've seen before include "Long narrative poems telling of deeds of heroes" , "Spice up with adventurous poems or stories" , "Long tales of heroic deeds" , "Long poems about great events" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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