Issue #720 Sat 21 Feb
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — February 21, 2026
Small-batch projects often take over the kitchen counter for weeks at a time. This grid requires a patient hand and an eye for the long process.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Glass carboys tucked into a dark corner, the slow bubbling of an airlock, and the distinctive smell of grain lingering in the hallway.
Artisan beverage production
DIY BEVERAGE PRODUCTION
Spangram 4 hints · 8 letters
The connector word
Single compound word
8 letters.
Starts with H, ends with W.
HOMEBREW
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (6 letters)
- 2 F (6 letters)
- 3 H (4 letters)
- 4 M (4 letters)
- 5 S (5 letters)
- 6 W (5 letters)
- 7 W (5 letters)
- 8 Y (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BA (6 letters)
- 2 FL (6 letters)
- 3 HO (4 letters)
- 4 MA (4 letters)
- 5 SU (5 letters)
- 6 WA (5 letters)
- 7 WH (5 letters)
- 8 YE (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 8 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Look at a field of golden stalks swaying in the wind before they are harvested for the silo.
6 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BA.
BARLEY
Theme word 2 of 8 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
What you notice first when the coffee hits your tongue or the spice hits the air.
6 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FL.
FLAVOR
Theme word 3 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
These small, green, cone-shaped flowers add a sharp, bitter edge to the mix.
4 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HO.
HOPS
Theme word 4 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
Sprouted grains dried in a kiln, providing the deep, toasted foundation for the batch.
4 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MA.
MALT
Theme word 5 of 8 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The white crystals you stir into your morning tea to balance the bitterness.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SU.
SUGAR
Theme word 6 of 8 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The clear, neutral liquid that makes up the vast majority of any poured glass.
5 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WA.
WATER
Theme word 7 of 8 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A staple grain often used for flour, bread, and dense, crusty loaves.
5 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WH.
WHEAT
Theme word 8 of 8 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A living culture that works silently to transform a sweet liquid into something else entirely.
5 letters.
Starts with Y.
Starts with YE.
YEAST
Spoiler zone
Complete Strands answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
Reveal the spangram
Reveal all theme words
- BARLEY
- FLAVOR
- HOPS
- MALT
- SUGAR
- WATER
- WHEAT
- YEAST
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on February 21, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for February 21, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on February 21, 2026?
NYT Strands on February 21, 2026 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 8 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the February 21, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 8 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "H" — the hints above ease you toward the rest one step at a time, without spelling it out.
What is the theme of NYT Strands on February 21, 2026?
We keep the theme under wraps here so nothing is spoiled — but the ladder above walks you into it, starting with the puzzle's overall vibe. Want it stated outright, with the spangram and all 8 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 8 theme words · 8-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 8 theme words · 8-letter spangram