Spice assessed and mashed (9)

I believe the answer is:

macerated

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'mashed' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'spice assessed' is the wordplay.
'spice' becomes 'mace' (mace is a kind of spice).
'assessed' becomes 'rated' (rating is a kind of assessing).
'mace'+'rated'='MACERATED'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for macerated that I've seen before include "softened by soaking" , "Wet" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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