Hot paste used to be a bit lacking in temperature (6)

I believe the answer is:

wasabi

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'hot paste' is the definition.
'wasabi' can be an answer for 'paste' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'hot' bit.

'used to be a bit lacking in temperature' is the wordplay.
'used to be' becomes 'was' (eg 'he was...' means 'he used to be...').
'lacking in' suggests deleting specific letters.
'temperature' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'bit' with 't' removed is 'bi'.
'was'+'a'+'bi'='WASABI'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wasabi that I've seen before include "Strong-tasting Japanese paste" , "condiment? Japanese actually" , "Hollyhock" , "Hot Japanese paste" , "Pungent green root, used in Japanese cooking" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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