The New York Times Strands puzzle for January 1st, #669, centered around the theme of coffee. Players were challenged to find a set of interconnected words relating to coffee characteristics and culture.
Puzzle Breakdown & Hints
The daily puzzle required identifying words within a letter grid that fit the theme. The initial hint provided was “Not your average joe,” which pointed towards coffee-related terms. Additional clues like “For Starbucks lovers” further guided players.
Key Solution Words
The non-spangram words needed to unlock the puzzle were:
- BOLD
- NUTTY
- BITTER
- SMOOTH
- STRONG
- AROMATIC
- VELVETY
The spangram—a word that spans the entire grid—was COFFEE. Players were instructed to begin with the ‘C’ five rows down on the left side and trace the letters across.
Strategy for Solving
The Strands puzzle operates on a hint system: identifying any four-letter word unlocks a theme-related hint. Words like SORT, BOLT, GENT, ROTS, VALE, SCAR, MEAT, TEAM, LACE, BITER, BOTS, LOTS, and SOOT can be used to trigger the system.
Puzzle Difficulty Trends
Recent Strands puzzles have varied in difficulty. One of the toughest in recent weeks was dated slang from January 21st, with “PHAT” being the most challenging word. Another difficult puzzle, from January 15th, tested knowledge of marine biology, including terms like “BALEEN” and “RIGHT.”
The Strands puzzle remains a daily challenge that blends word-finding skills with thematic knowledge. Players who approach it strategically—leveraging the hint system and recognizing coffee-related vocabulary—can conquer the puzzle efficiently.
