Crossword Genius

Pepper of good appearance starts to taste off (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pimiento

'pepper' is the definition.
(pimiento is a kind of pepper)

'good appearance starts to taste off' is the wordplay.
'good' becomes 'pi' (I've seen this in other clues**).
'appearance' becomes 'mien' (I've seen this before).
'starts to' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'taste off' is 'to'.
'pi'+'mien'+'to'='PIMIENTO'

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for pimiento that I've seen before include "What's sweet yet spicy" , "Red sweet pepper" , "Allspice" , "Kitchen ingredient" , "Sweet red capsicum" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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