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NYT Daily • August 21, 2025

Palm starch

Answer:

SAGO

Hint:

This edible pearl-like extract comes from the pith of certain tropical palm trees.

Explanation:

"Palm starch" points to sago, a starchy food extracted from the pith of certain palm trees, especially in tropical regions. The clue is straightforward—no wordplay or hidden meanings—just a direct definition. Sago is commonly used in puddings, pearls, or as a thickener, making it a well-known term in cooking and food science. If you’ve heard of tapioca, sago is a similar concept but comes from a different plant.

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