Crossword Genius

Pies can include top flavouring (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spice

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

'flavouring' is the definition.
(I know that spice is a type of flavouring)

'pies can include top' is the wordplay.
'can' indicates an anagram (I've seen 'canned' mean this (canned can mean drunk)).
'include' indicates putting letters inside.
'top' becomes 'c' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'pies' with letters rearranged gives 'spie'.
'spie' placed around 'c' is 'SPICE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spice that I've seen before include "Flavouring substance" , "Something providing excitement" , "Aromatic flavouring" , "eg Mace, ginger, Posh" , "Pungent substance to flavour food" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.