June 23, 2026

Title: CHANGING TABLE

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

• HERBAL TEAS (17A: Chamomile and peppermint drinks)
• HEAVY METAL BANDS (39A: Metallica and Black Sabbath, e.g.)
• DOUBLE TAKE (60A: Surprised second look)

CHANGING TABLE: Each theme answer contains an anagram of the word TABLE: HERBAL TEAS, HEAVY METAL BANDS, and DOUBLE TAKE.

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• OMELET (29D: Egg dish such as khai jiao) Khai jiao is the name used for a traditional OMELET. To prepare khai jiao, beaten eggs and a small amount of fish sauce are deep fried in vegetable oil and then served over steamed rice.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• AMPS (10A: Sound devices that might be cranked up to 11) This clue is a reference to the 1984 mockumentary This is Spinal Tap. There's a scene in the movie in which the band's AMPS are being discussed that has popularized the saying "these go to eleven." 
• ARIA (15A: Pretty Yende solo) Pretty Yende is an operatic soprano that has performed around the world, including at the Metropolitan Opera, at La Scala, and at the coronation of Charles III and Camilla as king and queen of the United Kingdom. Pretty Yende is from South Africa.
• TESLA (23A: Prolific inventor Nikola) Nikola TESLA (1856-1943) was an inventor and engineer known for his contributions to the design of modern electricity supply systems and alternating current. One of Nikola TESLA's inventions was the TESLA coil, an electrical resonant transformer circuit. He also invented a wirelessly controlled boat, which was one of the first remote-controlled vehicles produced.
• TIE (30A: Get even with?) In this question mark clue, "get even with" is not referring to revenge, but rather to a TIE, a literally even score.
• ALTAR (34A: Where the Eucharist is prepared) Eucharist is a rite in Christianity that is a remembrance of Jesus sharing bread and wine (at a Passover meal) with his disciples. It is also referred to as Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper. The Communion elements are prepared on an ALTAR.
• EOS (49A: Spherical lip balm brand) EOS lip balms are known for their colorful, egg-shaped packaging. EOS stands for "Evolution of Smooth."
• POEMS (57A: Works with meters, sometimes) Meters here are not the units of length, but the basic rhythmic structure of POEMS. 
• EPEE (65A: Heaviest fencing blade) Our crossword friend ÉPÉE is one of three swords used in fencing. The other two fencing swords are the foil and sabre. As the clue informs us, the ÉPÉE is the heaviest of these three blades.
• EURO (66A: Currency in Cyprus) Cyprus is an island country in the Mediterranean. Nicosia is its capital. Cyprus is a member of the European Union and has used the EURO as its currency since 2008.  
• ASH (1D: Electric guitar wood) The wood of ASH trees is a popular choice for electric guitar bodies because it is durable and has aesthetically appealing wood grain.
• TUBAS (4D: Big band instruments) Although TUBAS are not traditionally a part of "big band" ensembles, there's no denying that they are indeed "big" band instruments. When our son had the option to learn a band instrument in elementary school, he chose the TUBA. He also played the double bass in orchestra. We used to say that if an instrument wasn't big, he wasn't interested in it.
• NIA (8D: "Empire" actress Long) Empire is a Fox TV series that originally aired from 2015 to 2020. Set in New York, the series centers on Empire Entertainment, a fictional hip hop music and entertainment company. In 2017, NIA Long had a recurring role on Empire as Giuliana "Giusi" Green, a Las Vegas club owner.
• ATARI (10D: Centipede developer) ATARI published the arcade game Centipede in 1981. As a centipede winds down the playing field, the player tries to shoot all of its segments.
• MOUNTAINER (11D: Person who enjoys an uphill battle?) I suppose a MOUNTAINER's trek up the side of a mountain could both literally and metaphorically be referred to as an uphill battle.
• CAT (38D: Pet that may claim your lap) My CAT, Willow, claims my lap whenever I sit down in our recliner. It is truly one of her favorite places to be. 

• RITES (51D: Custom-made ceremonies?) The question mark at the end of the clue indicates that these RITES aren't "custom-made" as in "specially designed." Rather, RITES are practices relating to the customs of a certain group.
• ASTON (54D: ___ Martin (Bond's car)) ASTON Martin is a British company that manufactures luxury sports cars. In the 1964 movie Goldfinger, James Bond drove an ASTON Martin DB5, which marked the car's first appearance in the James Bond franchise. James Bond has driven an ASTON Martin in many of the franchise's movies, most frequently a DB5, but other models have also made appearances.
• OBOE (58D: Instrument with octave keys) Octave keys allow OBOE players to play notes one or two octaves higher while using the same fingering.

The word CHANGING in the title is serving as an anagram indicator. I caught on to that right away, and the theme was just as I anticipated. Thank you, Zhouqin, for this enjoyable puzzle.

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