Fascinating Facts - 12 Grapes!

At the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve, people gather in squares around Spain, or with their families at home, observing the quaint Spanish tradition, of eating twelve grapes, for each strike of the clock, as they welcome in the New Year. The ceremony is relatively new, dating back to 1895, when vine growers introduced the custom to better sell their bumper crops of grapes, during the winter months. The consuming of 'The twelve grapes of luck' would, according to convention, bring prosperity to all those taking part. In some parts of Spain, it is also believed this practice, wards away evil magic and witches!

The ritual of consuming twelve grapes was popularised by a working class group of madrileños, (residents of Madrid,) early in the last century; mocking the elite who gathered in Madrid's Puerta Del Sol, eating grapes and drinking champagne, pouring scorn on all those who took part. The ceremonies throughout Spain hark back to this time, leading to the observances we see today!

On New Years Eve families gather to pay homage to this ceremony, eating each grape in quick succession. With the family formalities over, the younger generation will depart to party the night away. As for me, well, I will be following this age old Spanish practice, as I did last year, minus the partying into the early hours; I'm much too old for that now!