The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word PIQUANT
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
P
I
Q
U
A
N
T
More clues leading to the result PIQUANT
- Very good designer, zesty
- Spicy quip edited by soldier
- Spicy article dismissing English character of Nelson?
- Good fashion designer’s stimulating
- Very good fashion designer, sharp
- Beer guzzling as mentally stimulating?
- Sharp in the capacity of splitting pub order
- Very good designer is provocative
- Good old fashion designer, stimulating
- Biting insect developed 3 heads
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "zesty" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case zesty = piquant.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PIQUANT mean?
PIQUANT adjective- Causing hurt feelings; scathing, severe.
- Stimulating to the senses; engaging; charming.
- Favorably stimulating to the palate; pleasantly spicy; tangy.