Edamame or chickpea - NYT Mini-Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Edamame or chickpea," from the NYT Mini-Crossword is a classic example of a category-based clue. It's a straightforward and satisfying entry that relies on common knowledge, making it a perfect starting point for many solvers.

Clue Analysis

The clue presents two specific items: edamame and chickpea. The word "or" is the key operator here, signaling that the answer is a term that can describe either one. The solver's task is to identify the common category that encompasses both. Edamame are immature soybeans, and chickpeas are also known as garbanzo beans. Both are widely recognized food items.

Thinking Approaches

For a clue like this, the thought process is typically direct:

1. Identify the examples: The clue gives us "edamame" and "chickpea."
2. Ask "What are these?": My immediate thought is that they are both types of legumes or beans.
3. Consider the puzzle constraints: In a crossword, the answer length is crucial. If the answer slot is four letters long, "LEGUME" is too long, but a more common, simpler term fits perfectly.
4. Brainstorm synonyms/related terms: What's a four-letter word for this food group? Words like "pinto," "kidney," and "black" are often followed by this word.
5. Confirm with crossings: Once you have a potential answer, check it against any intersecting clues you've already solved. This will quickly validate your hypothesis.

Background Context

Both edamame and chickpeas belong to the Fabaceae family, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family. While scientifically distinct, in culinary terms, they are both broadly and correctly categorized by the answer word.

• Edamame: These are young soybeans, often served steamed in their pods as an appetizer in Japanese cuisine.
• Chickpea: Also called the garbanzo bean, this is a key ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, famous as the primary component of hummus and falafel.

Their shared identity as a type of bean is the connection the puzzle is looking for.

Conclusion

This clue is a great example of an "easy" entry that helps build momentum in a solve. It's a fair and direct question that rewards general knowledge without resorting to trickery or obscure wordplay. By simply asking what an edamame and a chickpea are, it provides a solid anchor for solvers to build the rest of the puzzle around.

Hints

1. Hint 1: What general food category do both of these items belong to?
2. Hint 2: They are both types of legumes, often eaten as a source of protein.
3. Hint 3: Think of a common word for things like kidney, pinto, or black ____s.
4. Hint 4: Jack famously climbed a stalk that grew from a magic one of these.

The answer to "Edamame or chickpea" is BEAN.