21 Across

NYT Daily ? September 17, 2025

Brand whose name is derived from the French phrase "sans caféine"

Answer:

SANKA

Hint:

This decaffeinated coffee brand was introduced in the early 1900s and shares its name with a shortened version of a French term meaning "without caffeine."

Explanation:

The clue points to a coffee brand named Sanka, which comes directly from the French phrase "sans caféine"—meaning "without caffeine." Since Sanka is a well-known decaffeinated coffee, the name is a shortened, brand-friendly version of that phrase. The wordplay is straightforward: the French origin hints at the answer while keeping it simple for solvers familiar with the product.

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General solving tip

Location/language tags (in Paris, in México, in Roma) often want an answer in that language. Try the basic word in French/Spanish/Italian, confirmed by crosses.

More tips → General Hints