Piquant

adj.joyful, energeticformal

Meaning 1

Pleasantly sharp or stimulating in flavor.

Reach for it when describing food whose lively tang or spice adds interest without overwhelming

A piquant relish lifted the mild beans with mustard and citrus.

everyday
spicy
if seasoning or heat creates the stimulation
not when Spicy can mean much hotter and lacks piquant's controlled pleasantness.
everyday
tangy
when a bright acidic taste is the dominant feature
not when Tangy does not cover peppery heat or aromatic sharpness.
warm
zesty
for a fresh, lively flavor often associated with citrus or herbs
not when Zesty sounds more exuberant and may suggest literal zest.
professional
peppery
when the flavor specifically recalls pepper or a dry bite
not when Peppery is narrow and may describe aroma rather than taste.

Engaging because it is lively, provocative, or intriguingly unusual.

Reach for it when praising a detail or remark for adding spirited interest

The memoir gains piquant humor from its footnotes and small reversals.

warm
lively
when energy and variety make material engaging
not when Lively material can engage without containing a pointed or unusual detail.
professional
intriguing
where curiosity rather than sharpness creates the appeal
not when Intriguing promises interest but not the spirited edge of piquant.
formal
provocative
if the idea deliberately challenges assumptions or elicits reaction
not when Provocative can be confrontational or sexual, unlike gently piquant interest.

piquant flavor
Pickled cherries gave the sauce a piquant flavor.
piquant sauce
The piquant sauce balanced ginger heat with a little honey.
piquant detail
One piquant detail reveals that the rivals shared a childhood tutor.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.