9 Down

NYT Daily • August 29, 2025

Macaroni wheat

Answer:

DURUM

Hint:

Not available

Explanation:

Macaroni wheat" refers to durum wheat, the hard variety specifically used to make pasta like macaroni. The clue is straightforward—no wordplay—just a direct hint at the type of wheat that gives macaroni its firm texture. If you’ve ever checked a pasta package, you might’ve seen "durum" listed as the key ingredient. It’s the go-to wheat for high-quality pasta worldwide.

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