Crossword Genius

Being green is not exactly sweet (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pea

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

'being green' is the definition.
'pea' can be an answer for 'green' (pea green is a kind of green). I am unsure of the 'being' bit.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pea that I've seen before include "Legume" , "The plant is a strange ape" , "veg" , "garden plant" , "Edible green seed" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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