In Spain, the locals welcome the New Year by eating 12 grapes, one by one, for every toll of the clock bell. It is considered a symbol of luck if all the 12 grapes are consumed on time. In order to finish all the grapes, some even peel and de-seed them for easier consumption. According to popular legend, the grapes represent the months of the year and sweet grapes indicate a happy month whereas a sour one indicates a rough month. This tradition is also adopted in several Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico.
The twelve grapes date back from at least 1895 but became established in 1909. In December of that year, some alicantese vine growers popularized this custom to better sell huge numbers of grapes from an excellent harvest. According to the tradition, eating the twelve grapes leads to a year of good luck and prosperity. In some areas, it is believed that it wards away witches and general evil, although this “magic” is treated like an old heritage, and in modern days it’s viewed as a cultural tradition to welcome the new year.
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