Quick Answer
Clue: “Spice in curry powder”
Answer: CUMIN
Answer length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 2-Down
The New York Times crossword clue “Spice in curry powder” is answered with CUMIN, filling all five squares of 2-Down.
Why CUMIN Is the Right NYT Answer
- Cumin is a key ingredient in many curry powder blends, frequently listed alongside coriander, turmeric, and chili. Crossword resources for the January 27, 2026 NYT Mini explicitly confirm CUMIN as the 5-letter solution for this clue.
- Other curry spices like “clove” or “mace” can also be used in powders, but CUMIN is the most canonical five-letter answer and matches what solver databases give for “Spice used in curry powder.”
What CUMIN Means in Plain English
- Cumin is an aromatic spice made from the dried seeds of the cumin plant, used whole or ground in cooking. It has a warm, earthy, slightly nutty flavor and is common in Indian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, and North African dishes.
- In curry powder, cumin helps build the base savory note that supports brighter spices like turmeric and chili.
Crossword-Specific Help for CUMIN
- In the grid, CUMIN appears as C U M I N at 2-Down, and you might first see patterns like C_MI_, CU_IN, or _UMIN as crossings fill.
- For this particular Mini, it crosses across entries SCARF, HUMOR, IMPLY, NILE, and ENE, which provide strong letters to lock in CUMIN.
- CUMIN is a recurring crossword answer for clues such as “Curry spice,” “Chili spice,” or “Taco seasoning ingredient,” so it is worth memorizing as a go-to 5-letter spice.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- For short spice clues like “Curry spice,” “Spice in chili,” “Spice in taco seasoning” with 5 letters, always consider CUMIN early.
- If you already have C or U from crossings in a 5-letter spice slot, see if CUMIN fits both letters and the food context.
Keep a mini “spice list” in mind for food clues: CUMIN, ANISE, CLOVES, MACE, SAGE; of these, CUMIN is most strongly tied to “curry powder.”
