As the New Year approaches, many people are gearing up to celebrate with their own unique traditions. While Champagne toasts and countdown kisses are common, have you ever considered eating grapes on New Year’s Eve for good luck? This age-old tradition has gained popularity in recent years, with many claiming that it brings blessings ranging from good fortune to true love. But what exactly is the significance of eating grapes at midnight, and where did this custom originate?
According to Dr. Daniel Compora, a folklore and popular culture expert from the University of Toledo, eating 12 grapes at midnight is believed to bring good luck for the upcoming year. Each grape represents a wish for the 12 months ahead, and they must be consumed at each stroke of midnight. While the most common practice is to eat the grapes as the clock chimes, there are variations that suggest wearing red undergarments or sitting under a table while doing so. Some even believe that eating the grapes will ensure finding love in the coming year.
Noel Wolf, a cultural expert and language teacher at Babbel, emphasizes the importance of finishing all 12 grapes before the clock strikes 12:01 for the wishes to come true. Chewing on the grapes past midnight is considered a bad omen, so make sure to savor each grape efficiently.
The tradition of eating grapes on New Year’s actually has roots in Spanish culture, dating back at least a hundred years. Michael A. Di Giovine, Ph.D., a professor of anthropology at West Chester University, explains that the tradition may have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century to use up a surplus of grapes. Some sources suggest that high-class individuals in Spain would eat grapes on New Year’s for lunch, while others credit merchants from Alicante and Murcia for popularizing the tradition in 1909 by handing out grapes at the Puerta del Sol in Madrid.
Whether you choose to partake in this tradition for good luck or simply for fun, eating grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve is a festive way to ring in the new year. So grab a bunch of grapes, make your wishes, and savor each grape as the clock counts down to midnight. Who knows, maybe this year will bring you all the luck and love you desire. Cheers to a grape-filled New Year!
