Strands is the NYT’s latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?
• Today’s NYT Strands theme is… My cup of tea
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
PACECOALSALECHAINSAMEMACE
What is a hint for today’s spangram?
• ‘Hot’ drink
What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches?
First: top, 3rd column
Last: bottom, 4th column
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
The answers to today’s Strands, game #235, are…
PEPPERANISECINNAMONCLOVECARDAMOMNUTMEGSPANGRAM: MASALACHAI
My rating: ModerateMy score: 1 hint
I realize that this confession might get me kicked out of my home nation, the UK, but I have never drunk tea. Not a single cup has ever passed my lips – which meant I was at an ever greater disadvantage today than some will be.
Even setting aside my own drinking habits, this Strands puzzle is strangely specific. Why MASALACHAI? We’ve previously had one Strands game about coffee, with the likes of MOCHA and LATTE, but even though I don’t drink that either I was at least able to make informed guesses based on just having lived in a world in which other people regularly do drink it. But the theme here isn’t ‘types of tea’ – with ginseng or green or breakfast or whatever – it’s specifically the ingredients for masala chai. That may well be very popular, but if you don’t drink it, you’re a bit stuck.
Fortunately I only needed one hint. I spotted PEPPER by accident, then asked Strands to give me a clue and got ANISE. Though I still had no idea what the spangram might be, I had a strong hunch that the other answers would be spices, so found the likes of CARDAMOM and NUTMEG by trial and error. That left the spangram, which revealed itself on the board to make up for my lack of knowledge in this subject.
How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.
STOPMERGECONSTRUCTIONYIELDBUMPDETOURSPANGRAM: TRAFFICSIGNS
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT’s games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I’ve got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you’re struggling to beat it each day.