My Delicious Blog

New Year’s Grapes

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Grapes of Good Luck

We’re already on the verge of a new year! How did that happen?!?

This time of year makes me reflect on what I’ve done over the last twelve months, as well as, the possibilities for the next twelve months which, for me, includes all the delicious food I’ll taste, learn about, cook and share 🙂

But for now, since we’ll soon be ringing in  a new year, I’m writing about a tradition I learned about relatively recently.  It’s the one about eating twelve grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve – a Spanish tradition that dates back to the 1800s, continuing today in Spain and many Latin countries — about bidding farewell to the past and hoping the next year will be even better in terms of luck and prosperity.

While at one of my favorite Latin markets – El Chipotle Latin Market in Venice – I asked the owner, Raul Coral, if he was familiar with the tradition. He’s originally from Peru and says the tradition is definitely still employed there, even his sister performs the annual task.  There, each grape represents one month of the year and, for maximum effectiveness, folks must eat one grape while making a wish with each, at each strike of the clock before midnight, and if you don’t eat them in time, your wishes won’t come true.  (I’ve also read that if the first grape is sweet, January will be especially good, and a sour grape denotes a bad month, so hopefully you won’t get many of those. . .)

Logistically, eating twelve grapes can be challenging in such a short span of time, and the type of grapes you choose might determine your success! The grapes might be too big, have lots of seeds or even tough skins; you might not have time to chew each of them, or you might be so distracted by all the excitement that you miss a bell or two. Faced with such challenges, some folks resort to squeezing all twelve into their mouths at one time, but that might not be the best solution since doing so could bring ‘bad luck,’ according to lore.

So, based on my research, to ensure good luck, there seem to be four important factors: 1) buy small, tender, sweet grapes (color doesn’t matter), 2) be sure they’re seedless, 3) have your list of wishes ready, and 4) focus on the clock and ignore anything else going on around you 🙂

I wish you all the happiest and healthiest year in 2018!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. I’ll give it a go, along with a list because I do love lists! Fingers crossed, no sour grapes for you or me. Wishing you and Brendan a very happy New Year!

  5. I am on my way to Sprouts now to buy my good luck grapes! PS this is a recipe that I can manage (1) buy grapes (2) eat them fast.

  6. Cool running into you at the grocery today. I already had the grapes before I knew what I was going to do with them. Happy new year.

  8. No, no more of that yucky stuff — 2018 will be all about prosperity, good health, fun and laughter for us all. Looking forward to seeing you next Summer 🙂 Happy New Year!

  10. Hello Nicole –

    Oh those grapes look so delicious! I’m going to go right now to the grocery store and buy a bunch. It’s bitterly, bitterly cold here in your old surroundings (about 7 degrees) and grapes somehow make me think of spring and summer. Thanks for reminding me of better times to come! Best wishes to you and your very talented husband and the Happiest of New Years. And enjoy the warmth and beauty of Florida – I wish I was there!

  11. I love this! Never heard of this tradition before, but I’m going to buy some grapes and do it. Thanks for sharing!

  12. I LOVE THIS!!! Anything to ensure a good year!

    No more falling, breaking bones, rabbit holes and knee surgery for me and you know who!!

    Have a fabulous and FRUITFUL new year!

    XOXO
    Dianne