Crossword Genius

Spice may appear curious, especially for starters (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mace

'spice' is the definition.
(mace is a kind of spice)

'may appear curious especially for starters' is the wordplay.
'for starters' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'may appear curious especially' is 'MACE'.

(Other definitions for mace that I've seen before include "Spice; heavy club" , "Came to get nutmeg spice" , "Disabling spray" , "Ceremonial staff or kind of spice" , "Staff of office for a flavouring" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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