Grape tradition new year’s: 12 Grapes for 12 Months: An Unusual New Year’s Tradition

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December 30, 2022
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12 Grapes At Midnight: Spain’s Great New Year’s Eve Tradition, And Superstition

Eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve is both a tradition and a superstition in Spain. Rare is the Spaniard who will risk poisoning their fate for the coming year by skipping the grapes, one for each stroke of midnight.

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Americans may giddily greet the New Year downing a glass of champagne and grabbing a kiss at the drop of the ball. But the first 12 seconds of the Spaniards’ New Year are somewhat quieter and more intense, as everyone focuses on eating all 12 of the “miraculous grapes” that symbolize 12 lucky months ahead.

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Eating the grapes pretty much guarantees starting off the year with a little adrenaline rush, and most likely some laughs. While the goal of getting the 12 grapes down in time can spark a contest of who is más macho around the table, the biggest challenge is more likely to be not gagging as you cram them in your mouth and try to swallow while laughing hysterically.

As Spanish cuisine has achieved a higher international profile in recent years, and tapas bars and Spanish restaurants have flourished, it’s probable that more non-Hispanics will be eating 12 grapes this New Year’s.

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To add a continental flair to your New Year’s celebration, buy seedless green grapes (look for smaller ones) and separate them into portions of 12, one set for each guest. In Spain, the chimes are broadcast on TV. Otherwise, if you don’t happen to live near a church tower, or have a clock with chimes, you can download an iPhone app called G-Clock that chimes on the hour with a classic “bong.” (Chime apps for other mobile devices are also available.) Or just call out the 12 seconds starting with midnight.

Through years of observation, we have discovered six common profiles of those who’ve been (mostly) successful achieving this feat, which we offer as a guide for your New Year’s grape eating:

Zen Master – Neatly lines up the grapes and methodically eats them one by one, while meditating on the sound of the 12 chimes. Starts the New Year fully in the moment.
Full Frontal – Embraces the New Year with gusto by shoving all of the grapes in their mouth at once. Worries about swallowing them later.
False Starter – Anxious about getting all 12 grapes down, starts eating the first one before midnight strikes, which doesn’t count and is said to bring bad luck.
Reina Isabel – Prepares grapes in advance by cutting them in half. Eats them with a fork from a plate. Eating the grapes by halves may be less authentic, but it is the best method for small children, and for anyone worried about looking like a slob.
Exhibitionist – Also known as “el chulo.” Sees grape eating as another extreme sport, or just a chance to show off. Starts the New Year with an ego boost, by throwing the grapes in the air and catching them in their mouth. Requires secret pre-New Years’ Eve practice.
Drunken Style – Makes an effort to eat the grapes but cracks up, starts talking, drinking, hugging or otherwise gets distracted midway through the 12 grapes. This is, needless to say, what happens most often. Happy New Year!

Read more about Spain on Food Republic:

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A Culinary Tradition to Bring Good Luck in the New Year!

The Twelve Grapes of Luck — call it superstition or simply something fun to do, but eating twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve is a Spanish tradition to ensure prosperity in the coming year.

A Culinary Tradition to Bring Good Luck in the New Year!

Culinary traditions run deep across many cultures, and one that I’m reminded of at the end of each calendar year is the Spanish tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The practice dates back to the 1800s and continues today in Spain, as well as, many Latin countries. It’s a chance to not only bid farewell to the past year, but also, try to ensure the next one will be even better. And don’t we all wish for that?!?

Each grape represents one month of the new year. For maximum effectiveness, tradition says that you must eat one grape at each strike of the clock before midnight, which will ensure luck and prosperity in the new year. Legend has it that if the first grape is sweet, the first month will be especially good, and a sour grape denotes a bad month, so hopefully there are not many of those!

Raul Coral, owner of El Chipotle Latin Market in Venice, is originally from Peru, where he says the tradition is strong. There, folks eat one grape at a time, making a wish with each. If they don’t eat them all in time, their wishes won’t come true, so it’s a mad rush to get them all in before time runs out. His sister keeps the tradition alive in Peru — as the clock approaches the all-important hour, she’s armed with twelve grapes in a little bowl, ready to get all her wishes in.

Logistically, eating all these grapes can be challenging, and the type of grapes you have access to will determine your success in eating them within twelve rings of the bell. You may have difficulty if they’re full of seeds, they’re large, or have tough skins, and you may not even have time to chew them, since the next strike of the bell comes quickly! Some resort to squeezing all twelve in their mouths at one time so they meet the twelve-second rule, but that’s not the solution since doing so can apparently bring ‘bad luck’ according to tradition. So it seems that to ensure good luck is achieved, there are four important factors: 1) buy small, tender grapes (color doesn’t matter), 2) be sure they’re seedless, 3) have your wishes ready, and 4) focus on the clock and ignore anything else going on around you!

When purchasing fresh grapes for this special occasion, be sure to pick the ones that are plump, firm, have smooth, unbroken skin and are firmly attached to their stems. Grapes are available in markets year-round, but their peak season is July to December. In the Sarasota area, you can easily find some at the Sarasota Farmers Market, the Englewood Farmers Market, North Port Farmers Market, and Detweiler’s Farm Market. And if all else fails, you might even be able to find

canned grapes at one of our other local Hispanic markets, such as Latin Brothers Market (1100 N. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota) or La Primavera Supermarket (901 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota) where you may even hear more about this historic tradition.

Here are some fun ways to enjoy your twelve lucky grapes:

Freeze them! Rinse grapes then place flat on a baking tray for at least one hour. Enjoy them whole, or pop them in a glass of sparkling wine.
Roast them! Heat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange grapes in a single layer on a baking sheet, drizzle with canola oil, kosher salt and ground pepper (maybe even some fresh rosemary sprigs for extra flair). Roast 25-30 minutes, until the grapes are slightly blistered and exuding some juice but are still soft inside. They’re delicious served over vanilla ice cream, topping goat cheese or ricotta on a crostini, or tossed into a fresh salad.
Skewer grapes on bamboo or metal skewers so they can be easily pulled off for the New Year’s Eve celebration.
Marinate green grapes in white wine and a little sugar for 24 hours in the refrigerator. Drain the liquid then roll the grapes in fine sugar and freeze for a few hours. They make a tasty snack all by themselves.

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Nicole Coudal is a writer and home-chef based in southwest Florida, where she fishes and cooks using local ingredients. When not on the water, she visits farms, farmer’s markets, and other food-related venues to highlight what’s in-season and to create tasty recipes. Read more at www.MyDeliciousBlog.com.

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12 grapes – a symbol of the New Year in Spain

Traditions in Spain are sacred, especially when they relate to holidays. In this Pyrenean kingdom, among many rather curious superstitions, there is such a custom: while the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, it is simply necessary to eat 12 grapes, which will certainly bring good luck, prosperity and wealth.

How did this tradition come about and what does history say about it?

It is known for sure that the Spaniards have long celebrated the arrival of the new year with an abundance of seasonal fruits on the table. The upper strata of society would certainly eat a sprig of grapes in honor of the holiday, which the poor could not afford, since in December the season for these berries is already over. However, gradually, the grape tradition ceased to be the privilege of aristocrats, and was transferred to the homes of ordinary people.

We must also not forget about popular superstitions. Indeed, a good year is good luck, and everyone wants to join this good luck. An abundance of grapes at the end of the year is considered a sign of abundance and prosperity, so those who eat grapes on New Year’s Eve can expect prosperity and pleasant surprises in the new year.

According to one version, the beginning of such a peculiar tradition was initiated by chance at the end of the 18th century, when a large grape harvest happened in the viticultural region of Vinalopo (Vinalopo) near Alicante, and it was decided on New Year’s Eve to take all the surplus to Madrid and distribute the berries for free so that the people of Madrid appreciate their taste. At the same time, someone’s ingenious ingenuity prompted them to suggest swallowing grapes to the sound of chimes in Puerta del Sol, where capital people always had fun on New Year’s Eve. In the fertile environment of the mentality of the Spaniards, who are inclined to believe in all sorts of miracles, the local inhabitants easily swallowed the commercial “bait” and … the harvest was saved, and the grape merchants remained with their own.

It’s hard to believe that this ingenious marketing ploy by local producers started a tradition known throughout Spain. However, it is this version that is considered the main one in the distribution and popularization of grapes on New Year’s Eve. This custom was liked and adopted.

Another version treats the grape tradition as follows . At the end of the 19th century, the mayor of Madrid issued a decree forbidding noise during the Christmas and New Year holidays in the city center, especially on January 5, on the Day of the Magic Kings (Día de los Reyes Magos), when people walked until the morning. For violation of the decree, a fine was imposed, and a very large one. In protest against the decree, and seeing that the aristocrats were having noisy private parties with impunity, the common people decided to go to the city center and eat 12 grapes, thus, in addition to protesting, this gesture was a mockery towards the ruling class.

However, other sources claim that such a custom existed in Spain even earlier. Or perhaps it was brought by the Spanish conquistadors from Asia Minor, where grapes have long been a symbol of joy and abundance. In any case, the tradition of eating 12 grapes, thinking of each at will, can be considered originally Spanish, although today it is followed in other countries, such as Mexico and Venezuela.

This is what the newspapers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries wrote.

“La Correspondencia de España” for 1896 year old “Yesterday, in the luxurious mansion of the famous Chairman of the Council of Ministers, the official himself and his colleagues, as well as some famous people, celebrated the New Year. Magical midnight was remembered by everyone with sparkling champagne and bunches of grapes…”

“Gedeon”, 1897: “The custom of eating 12 grapes while the clock strikes midnight, which separates the old and the new year, belongs to the inhabitants of Madrid. However, this is a borrowed tradition.” On New Year’s Eve 1897, the grape tradition was popularized by merchants who even gave the berries different names: “Fortune Grapes”, “Fortune Grapes” and “Miracle Grapes”.

In subsequent years, the tradition of 12 grapes was already mentioned in the newspapers of the capital and in advertising brochures. In 1902, the custom became nationwide. In January 1903, the Tenerife press recommended that “it is obligatory for everyone to eat 12 grapes, one berry for each stroke of the clock. ”

La Ilustración Española y Americana, January 8, 1907: “It is amazing how fast superstitions spread. Some time ago, only aristocrats celebrated the New Year with an indispensable bunch of grapes, but now both the middle class and the poor are bringing baskets of berries home! Who will definitely benefit from this is the market speculators.

Until the 40s of the last century, the tradition was transformed and 12 grapes began to symbolize 12 months or 12 strokes of the clock.

On December 31, 1962, Spanish television broadcast the chiming clock in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, after which few people remained indifferent to eating grapes on New Year’s Eve.

traditions, how they meet and what dishes are prepared

New Year’s Eve in Spain, on December 31, is called Nochevieja (from the Spanish “noche” – night, “vieja” – old). The holiday begins with the family with a plentiful family dinner and ends with noisy youth parties at discos, bars and on the streets of Spanish cities.

This night is associated with many traditions, superstitions and rituals that are believed to bring happiness, luck, love and money.

How is the meeting of the New Year

At half past nine the family gathers at the table. The principle followed by the Spaniards on this night is simple: the more abundant, the better. Suckling pig baked with potatoes, turkey, lamb and lentils for garnish are classic dishes of the New Year’s table.

Shrimp, smoked salmon, cheese, jamon and olives are common snacks. By the way, in the Mercadona supermarket chain before Christmas and before the New Year you can buy cheese that is sold only at this time of the year: with truffles, papaya, cranberries, a festive assortment of cheeses with a variety of fillings: marmalade from oranges, pineapples and so on.

In addition to products common to the whole country, local delicacies are put on the table in each region. These are asparagus in Navarre, tuna or minced meat pie and crabs in Galicia, cod in the Basque Country and fried capon (rooster) in Catalonia.

Restaurants also offer gala dinners and entertainment programs on New Year’s Eve. And if dishes can depend on the chef, then 12 grapes and Cotillion are an integral part of any holiday. We will start with them.

Why Spaniards eat grapes to the sound of the chimes

Spaniards eat 12 grapes under 12 New Year’s chimes. Each berry corresponds to one wish that is made for the next year. The tradition is not as old as it seems. In 1909, Spain’s grape harvest exceeded expectations. Producers suffered losses because grapes spoiled in warehouses. Farmers began to distribute it for free and started a rumor that if you eat 12 grapes under the chiming clock, it will bring good luck and the fulfillment of your wishes.

Spaniards, who love tradition, excitement and superstition, liked this story. Have you seen or at least heard of their shared love of playing the lottery? Therefore, it is not surprising that after 10 years the grape tradition has already firmly taken its position among the people.

Now 12 New Year’s grapes are sold in stores in individual packaging: from simple cans to gilded glasses. The Spaniards carefully approach their choice: the berries must be the same size, pitted and without damage. Producers and retailers respond gleefully by raising prices in times of increased demand. 12 berries in a package cost the same as a kilogram of grapes in a fruit shop.

How the French are involved in the Spanish New Year tradition Cotillion

Cotillion in Spain – festive attributes for New Year’s Eve, for example, funny cone hats, rain, confetti, masquerade masks, glasses, funny mustaches and so on. You can buy cotillion in any supermarket or themed store. The cost is usually from 2 to 20 euros, depending on the content of the holiday package.

Agree, the word “Cotillion” does not sound quite in Spanish. Let’s see how it has taken its place so tightly in Spanish culture.

Cotillion is a fun French ballroom dance game in which the dancers took turns. The dance could last for several hours and helped ladies and gentlemen of the 18th-19th centuries to get to know each other better. During the dance, the partners kindly communicated, flirted, and sometimes confessed their love to each other.

Cotillion was literally an unforgettable part of any ball, because during it the dancers gave each other souvenirs.

It was during Cotillion that the tradition of exchanging festive bags with New Year’s attributes appeared.

García de Pou was the first company to sell its New Year Cotillions on the Spanish market over fifty years ago.

So what does the very word Cotillon mean? Translated from French, this is a petticoat. During the dance, the young ladies playfully peeked out the bottom layer of skirts, from which the dance got its name.

Wear red – meet good luck in the new year!

Spaniards believe that wearing new red underwear on New Year’s Eve will bring good luck. The most common version of the origin of this tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. The red color was associated with witchcraft, so it was forbidden to wear clothes of this color. But at the same time, a sign was born that in winter, when nature has lost its bright colors, red is considered a symbol of life, passion and good luck. Therefore, in order not to lose good luck, but also not to fall out of favor with the church, people did not wear red clothes, but secretly wore underwear of this color.

Nowadays, some Spaniards prefer to wear a red bow on the left wrist or, in the case of women, a red garter.

Another ritual is associated with underwear. They say that if you put on your underwear backwards before the New Year, and change your clothes in the usual way after midnight, closets will be full of new clothes within a year.

8 more traditions and signs for a happy new year in Spain

A golden ring in a glass of sparkling wine brings good luck in money matters and business. Supporters of a non-alcoholic lifestyle can simply bite into a gold item. The Spaniards promise that the effect will be the same: profit and good luck.
In addition to eating grapes, in Spain they know another sure way to get what they want. A list of three wishes is placed on the New Year’s table and immediately after the chimes are burned.
Spaniards get up from the table with their right foot. The same rule is followed when getting out of bed in the morning and immediately after the start of the new calendar year.
Lentils on the New Year’s table symbolize abundance of money because they resemble coins. The tradition was imported from Italy. The more rituals to attract money, the better, the Spaniards decided, and they put dishes of red and golden lentils on the New Year’s table.
Colored candles lit on New Year’s Eve attract success to the house. Each color is associated with different blessings. Blue candles bring peace, yellow candles bring abundance, red candles for passionate relationships, and green promises a year without illness.
On New Year’s Eve, the house is illuminated from the entrance to the far corners, so that in the coming year there will be no lies and hidden events, dark thoughts and negative energy.
Spaniards are lovers of travel. In some villages, on December 31, they put suitcases out the door. Thus, they hint to fate that they are ready for new interesting discoveries.
To get rid of the consequences of an unsuccessful or unlucky year, on New Year’s Eve they collect a full bucket of water and leave it in the house until midnight. Water absorbs the misfortunes and problems of the outgoing year. At midnight, the water is poured out so that bad luck does not return.

New Year’s Eve in Madrid

The most popular place to celebrate the New Year in Spain is the main square Puerta del Sol in the capital, Madrid. Tens of thousands of people eager for the holiday gather here. Over time, for everyone’s safety, the authorities decided to limit the capacity of the square to twenty thousand people.

Residents of Madrid and tourists take their places in the square from half past ten. By midnight, there are people everywhere wearing masquerade glasses and fancy hats sold in the nearby Plaza Mayor. 10 seconds before the chiming clock el reloj de la Real Casa de Correos, TV announcers start the countdown so that everyone has time to take the grapes and get ready for the main New Year’s ritual. Under each blow, they eat one berry and make one wish. With the last blow of the chimes, they pour cava (sparkling wine) into glasses and congratulate each other on the new year.

What happens after New Year’s Eve

After grapes are eaten, wish lists are burned and water is poured out of the bucket, the older generation stays at home to watch TV, while the younger generation goes to celebrate the new year with friends.

For 40 years now, Spanish television has been offering the audience musical and entertainment New Year’s programs. The hosts’ jokes are replaced by musical numbers from different years, political satire is intertwined with unsuccessful takes from entertainment shows.