Crossword Genius

Sampled last of fruit -- fresh dates (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tasted

'sampled' is the definition.
('taste' can be a synonym of 'sample')

'last of fruit fresh dates' is the wordplay.
'last of' suggests the final letters.
'fresh' indicates an anagram.
The last letter of 'fruit' is 't'.
'dates' with letters rearranged gives 'asted'.
't'+'asted'='TASTED'

(Other definitions for tasted that I've seen before include "Discovered or experienced flavour" , "Samples" , "Sampled the flavour" , "Sampled (food)" , "Sampled (a food/drink)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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