Why do we welcome the new year with grapes?

Mayi Juarez

If you are going to celebrate the end of the year in Tenerife and you are not familiar with the tradition of eating 12 grapes during midnight chimes on New Year’s Eve, read on to learn about one of the most popular traditions in Spain.

There are different explanations for this tradition:

One says that everything began in 1882. At that time the bourgeois class used to drink champagne and eat grapes during New Year’s Eve dinner.

A group of locals decided to make this tradition ironic by going to the Puerta del Sol to eat grapes accompanied by the sound of chimes.

Another theory traces the tradition to 1909. That year there was a very good grape harvest, and the producers decided to give more output to the product by selling it as “lucky grapes”.

Throughout the years the tradition has been polished. Some believe that the 12 grapes are equivalent to 12 months of the year, while others are convinced that for each grape you will be granted a wish. If the last one sounds more attractive, make sure you have your 12 wishes written before the countdown begins, even if your wishes are not met, eating the grapes guarantees you to start the year with a bit of adrenaline, and lots of laughs.

More New Year’s traditions

There are various rites and traditions to welcome the new year on the right foot. Many of us set new goals and others want their wishes to be fulfilled in the coming year.

Attract good luck: Wear red underwear. It is believed that this custom comes from China and Vietnam. In these countries wearing red or yellow underwear attracts good energy.
Many people start the year with the left foot raised so that they always start with the “right foot” so that everything goes well during the next months.
There is also a lesser-known tradition on New Year’s Eve. This tradition is simply to put a gold ring in the glass of champagne and drink from it to ensure wealth next year.

How to do it?

Here are some small tips, although it may seem an easy task – in the end, they are only twelve grapes – put all in the mouth before the end of the bell is actually quite difficult.

The first thing: to improve your chances of success, make sure you choose small grapes!
Thirty-five seconds before midnight, a ball at the top of the clock tower of the Puerta del Sol in Madrid, begins to fall towards the main bell.
Once you reach the bottom you will hear four double chimes (remember not to make the mistake of starting to eat the grapes at this time).
When the clock strikes midnight the 12 chimes start sounding – once every 3 seconds – this is the time to eat your grapes!
There is also a lesser-known tradition on New Year’s Eve. This tradition is simply to put a gold ring in the glass of champagne and drink from it to ensure wealth next year.